US20180159370A1 - Tone power scheduler for wireless environmental applications - Google Patents
Tone power scheduler for wireless environmental applications Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20180159370A1 US20180159370A1 US15/367,403 US201615367403A US2018159370A1 US 20180159370 A1 US20180159370 A1 US 20180159370A1 US 201615367403 A US201615367403 A US 201615367403A US 2018159370 A1 US2018159370 A1 US 2018159370A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wireless power
- power transmission
- time block
- power
- tick
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 title 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 216
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 48
- 230000015654 memory Effects 0.000 claims description 30
- 230000006641 stabilisation Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000011105 stabilization Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 59
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 35
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 19
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 17
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 10
- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000007726 management method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000001427 coherent effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004422 calculation algorithm Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 3
- 241000238876 Acari Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 2
- NCGICGYLBXGBGN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-morpholin-4-yl-1-oxa-3-azonia-2-azanidacyclopent-3-en-5-imine;hydrochloride Chemical compound Cl.[N-]1OC(=N)C=[N+]1N1CCOCC1 NCGICGYLBXGBGN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000002776 aggregation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004220 aggregation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007274 generation of a signal involved in cell-cell signaling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009499 grossing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008676 import Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000691 measurement method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
- H02J50/10—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/00032—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by data exchange
- H02J7/00034—Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
- H02J50/20—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
- H02J50/20—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves
- H02J50/23—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using microwaves or radio frequency waves characterised by the type of transmitting antennas, e.g. directional array antennas or Yagi antennas
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
- H02J50/40—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using two or more transmitting or receiving devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
- H02J50/40—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using two or more transmitting or receiving devices
- H02J50/402—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using two or more transmitting or receiving devices the two or more transmitting or the two or more receiving devices being integrated in the same unit, e.g. power mats with several coils or antennas with several sub-antennas
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
- H02J50/80—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
-
- H02J7/025—
Definitions
- the technology described herein relates generally to the field of wireless power transmission and reception processing, more specifically, to techniques for timing the receive (Rx) and transmission (Tx) cycles of a client wireless antenna system such that the radio frequency (RF) energy received between RF energy cycles can be delivered directly to the device or stored in a client's battery by a wireless charging system, enhance the Rx signal opportunities, or make the Tx signal more efficient.
- This unique method and process of discovery is referred to herein as the Tone Power Scheduler. It is a client-aware process of timed power delivery modulation in wireless power delivery system environments and in accordance with some embodiments.
- wireless charging has been limited to magnetic or inductive charging based solutions.
- these solutions require a wireless power transmission system and a receiver to be in relatively close proximity to one another.
- Wireless power transmission at larger distances requires more advanced mechanisms such as, for example, transmission via radio frequency (RF) signals, ultrasonic transmissions, laser powering, to name a few, each of which presents a number of unique hurdles to commercial success.
- RF radio frequency
- radiation from an omnidirectional radiator or antenna propagates as an expanding sphere.
- the power density is reduced as the surface area of the sphere increases in the ratio of 1/r 2 , where r is the radius of the sphere.
- This type of radiator is often referred to as isotropic, with an omnidirectional radiation pattern, and it is usual to refer to antennas in terms of their directivity vs. gain as dBi—decibels over isotropic. If the intended receiver of the transmission is at a particular point relative to the transmitting radiator, being able to direct the power toward an intended receiver means that more power will be available at the receiving system for a given distance than would have been the case if the power had been omnidirectional radiated.
- COTA charging-over-the-air
- a method for wireless power transmission comprises receiving, at an antenna array of a wireless power transmission system and during a first tone time block, a beacon signal from a first wireless power receiver client of a plurality of wireless power receiver clients configured to receive wireless power delivery from the wireless power transmission system.
- the method also comprises calculating a first power transmission configuration for the first wireless power receiver client and controlling the antenna array according to the first power transmission configuration to deliver wireless power to the first wireless power receiver client during a first power tick time block of a plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block, wherein the plurality of power tick time blocks occurs before a second tone time block subsequent to the first tone time block.
- the method further comprises controlling the antenna array according to a second power transmission configuration calculated for a second wireless power receiver client of the plurality of wireless power receiver clients to deliver wireless power to the second wireless power receiver client during a second power tick time block of the plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block.
- a method for wireless power transmission comprises sending, via an antenna of a first wireless power receiver client and during a first tone time block, a beacon signal to a wireless power transmission system.
- a wireless power signal is received from an antenna array of the wireless power transmission system, wherein the plurality of power tick time blocks occurs before a second tone time block subsequent to the first tone time block.
- a low power mode is entered that is configured to consume less power than a power consumed by the first wireless power receiver during either the sending of the beacon signal or the receiving of the wireless power signal.
- a wireless power transmission system comprises a wireless power transmission system comprising an antenna array.
- the system also comprises a plurality of wireless power receiver clients configured to receive wireless power delivery from the wireless power transmission system.
- the plurality of wireless power receiver clients comprises a first wireless power receiver client comprising a first antenna, and a second wireless power receiver client comprising a second antenna.
- the first wireless power receiver client is configured to send, via the first antenna and during a first tone time block, a beacon signal to the wireless power transmission system.
- the first wireless power receiver client is also configured to, during a first power tick time block of a plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block, receive a wireless power signal from the antenna array, wherein the plurality of power tick time blocks occurs before a second tone time block subsequent to the first tone time block.
- the first wireless power receiver client is further configured to, when not sending the beacon signal and when not receiving the wireless power signal, enter into a low power mode configured to consume less power than a power consumed by the first wireless power receiver during either the sending of the beacon signal or the receiving of the wireless power signal.
- the wireless power transmission system is configured to receive the beacon signal from the first wireless power receiver client and calculate a first power transmission configuration for the first wireless power receiver client.
- the wireless power transmission system is also configured to control the antenna array according to the first power transmission configuration to deliver wireless power to the first wireless power receiver client during a first power tick time block of a plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block, wherein the plurality of power tick time blocks occurs before a second tone time block subsequent to the first tone time block.
- the wireless power transmission system is further configured to control the antenna array according to a second power transmission configuration calculated for the second wireless power receiver client to deliver wireless power thereto during a second power tick time block of the plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block.
- FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram including an example wireless power delivery environment illustrating wireless power delivery from one or more wireless power transmission systems to various wireless devices within the wireless power delivery environment in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 2 depicts a sequence diagram illustrating example operations between a wireless power transmission system and a wireless receiver client for commencing wireless power delivery in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of a wireless power transmission system in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of a wireless power receiver client in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIGS. 5A and 5B depict diagrams illustrating an example multipath wireless power delivery environment in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example determination of an incident angle of a wavefront in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example minimum omnidirectional wavefront angle detector in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram including an example of controller logic of a wireless charger in a TPS system in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram for a Tone Power Schedule (TPS) in accordance with some embodiments.
- TPS Tone Power Schedule
- FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram for a single Beacon Beat of the TPS of FIG. 9 in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 11 depicts a timing diagram for a TPS in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 12 depicts a timing diagram for a TPS in accordance with another embodiment.
- FIG. 13 depicts a timing diagram for a TPS in accordance with another embodiment.
- FIG. 14 depicts a timing diagram for a TPS in accordance with another embodiment.
- FIG. 15 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of a representative mobile device or tablet computer with one or more wireless power receiver clients in the form of a mobile (or smart) phone or tablet computer device in accordance with some embodiments.
- FIG. 16 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in the example form, of a computer system within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed.
- FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram including an example wireless power delivery environment 100 illustrating wireless power delivery from one or more wireless power transmission systems (WPTS) 101 a - n (also referred to as “wireless power delivery systems”, “antenna array systems” and “wireless chargers”) to various wireless devices 102 a - n within the wireless power delivery environment 100 , according to some embodiments. More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless power delivery environment 100 in which wireless power and/or data can be delivered to available wireless devices 102 a - 102 n having one or more wireless power receiver clients 103 a - 103 n (also referred to herein as “clients” and “wireless power receivers”). The wireless power receiver clients are configured to receive and process wireless power from one or more wireless power transmission systems 101 a - 101 n . Components of an example wireless power receiver client 103 are shown and discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 4 .
- WPTS wireless power transmission systems
- the wireless devices 102 a - 102 n include mobile phone devices and a wireless game controller.
- the wireless devices 102 a - 102 n can be any device or system that needs power and is capable of receiving wireless power via one or more integrated power receiver clients 103 a - 103 n .
- the one or more integrated power receiver clients receive and process power from one or more wireless power transmission systems 101 a - 101 n and provide the power to the wireless devices 102 a - 102 n (or internal batteries of the wireless devices) for operation thereof.
- Each wireless power transmission system 101 can include multiple antennas 104 a - n , e.g., an antenna array including hundreds or thousands of antennas, which are capable of delivering wireless power to wireless devices 102 .
- the antennas are adaptively-phased radio frequency (RF) antennas.
- the wireless power transmission system 101 is capable of determining the appropriate phases with which to deliver a coherent power transmission signal to the power receiver clients 103 .
- the array is configured to emit a signal (e.g., continuous wave or pulsed power transmission signal) from multiple antennas at a specific phase relative to each other. It is appreciated that use of the term “array” does not necessarily limit the antenna array to any specific array structure.
- the antenna array does not need to be structured in a specific “array” form or geometry.
- array or “array system” may be used include related and peripheral circuitry for signal generation, reception and transmission, such as radios, digital logic and modems.
- the wireless power transmission system 101 can have an embedded Wi-Fi hub for data communications via one or more antennas or transceivers.
- the wireless devices 102 can include one or more receive power clients 103 .
- power delivery antennas 104 a - 104 n are shown.
- the power delivery antennas 104 a are configured to provide delivery of wireless radio frequency power in the wireless power delivery environment.
- one or more of the power delivery antennas 104 a - 104 n can alternatively or additionally be configured for data communications in addition to or in lieu of wireless power delivery.
- the one or more data communication antennas are configured to send data communications to and receive data communications from the power receiver clients 103 a - 103 n and/or the wireless devices 102 a - 102 n .
- the data communication antennas can communicate via BluetoothTM, Wi-FiTM, ZigBeeTM, etc. Other data communication protocols are also possible.
- Each power receiver client 103 a - 103 n includes one or more antennas (not shown) for receiving signals from the wireless power transmission systems 101 a - 101 n .
- each wireless power transmission system 101 a - 101 n includes an antenna array having one or more antennas and/or sets of antennas capable of emitting continuous wave or discrete (pulse) signals at specific phases relative to each other.
- each the wireless power transmission systems 101 a - 101 n is capable of determining the appropriate phases for delivering the coherent signals to the power receiver clients 102 a - 102 n .
- coherent signals can be determined by computing the complex conjugate of a received beacon (or calibration) signal at each antenna of the array such that the coherent signal is phased for delivering power to the particular power receiver client that transmitted the beacon (or calibration) signal.
- each component of the environment can include control and synchronization mechanisms, e.g., a data communication synchronization module.
- the wireless power transmission systems 101 a - 101 n can be connected to a power source such as, for example, a power outlet or source connecting the wireless power transmission systems to a standard or primary alternating current (AC) power supply in a building.
- a power source such as, for example, a power outlet or source connecting the wireless power transmission systems to a standard or primary alternating current (AC) power supply in a building.
- AC alternating current
- one or more of the wireless power transmission systems 101 a - 101 n can be powered by a battery or via other mechanisms, e.g., solar cells, etc.
- the power receiver clients 102 a - 102 n and/or the wireless power transmission systems 101 a - 101 n are configured to operate in a multipath wireless power delivery environment. That is, the power receiver clients 102 a - 102 n and the wireless power transmission systems 101 a - 101 n are configured to utilize reflective objects 106 such as, for example, walls or other RF reflective obstructions within range to transmit beacon (or calibration) signals and/or receive wireless power and/or data within the wireless power delivery environment.
- the reflective objects 106 can be utilized for multi-directional signal communication regardless of whether a blocking object is in the line of sight between the wireless power transmission system and the power receiver client.
- each wireless device 102 a - 102 n can be any system and/or device, and/or any combination of devices/systems that can establish a connection with another device, a server and/or other systems within the example environment 100 .
- the wireless devices 102 a - 102 n include displays or other output functionalities to present data to a user and/or input functionalities to receive data from the user.
- a wireless device 102 can be, but is not limited to, a video game controller, a server desktop, a desktop computer, a computer cluster, a mobile computing device such as a notebook, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a Blackberry device, a Treo, and/or an iPhone, etc.
- the wireless device 102 can also be any wearable device such as watches, necklaces, rings or even devices embedded on or within the customer.
- Other examples of a wireless device 102 include, but are not limited to, safety sensors (e.g., fire or carbon monoxide), electric toothbrushes, electronic door lock/handles, electric light switch controller, electric shavers, etc.
- the wireless power transmission system 101 and the power receiver clients 103 a - 103 n can each include a data communication module for communication via a data channel.
- the power receiver clients 103 a - 103 n can direct the wireless devices 102 . 1 - 102 . n to communicate with the wireless power transmission system via existing data communications modules.
- the beacon signal which is primarily referred to herein as a continuous waveform, can alternatively or additionally take the form of a modulated signal.
- FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram 200 illustrating example operations between a wireless power delivery system (e.g., WPTS 101 ) and a wireless power receiver client (e.g., wireless power receiver client 103 ) for establishing wireless power delivery in a multipath wireless power delivery, according to an embodiment.
- a wireless power delivery system e.g., WPTS 101
- a wireless power receiver client e.g., wireless power receiver client 103
- the initial communication can be, for example, a data communication link that is established via one or more antennas 104 of the wireless power transmission system 101 .
- one or more of the antennas 104 a - 104 n can be data antennas, wireless power transmission antennas, or dual-purpose data/power antennas.
- wireless power signaling can be time sliced among various clients in a wireless power delivery environment.
- the wireless power transmission system 101 can send beacon schedule information, e.g., Beacon Beat Schedule (BBS) cycle, power cycle information, etc., so that the wireless power receiver client 103 knows when to transmit (broadcast) its beacon signals and when to listen for power, etc.
- beacon schedule information e.g., Beacon Beat Schedule (BBS) cycle, power cycle information, etc.
- the wireless power transmission system 101 selects one or more wireless power receiver clients for receiving power and sends the beacon schedule information to the select power receiver clients 103 .
- the wireless power transmission system 101 can also send power transmission scheduling information so that the power receiver client 103 knows when to expect (e.g., a window of time) wireless power from the wireless power transmission system.
- the power receiver client 103 then generates a beacon (or calibration) signal and broadcasts the beacon during an assigned beacon transmission window (or time slice) indicated by the beacon schedule information, e.g., Beacon Beat Schedule (BBS) cycle.
- the wireless power receiver client 103 include one or more antennas (or transceivers) which have a radiation and reception pattern in three-dimensional space proximate to the wireless device 102 in which the power receiver client 103 is embedded.
- the wireless power transmission system 101 receives the beacon from the power receiver client 103 and detects and/or otherwise measures the phase (or direction) from which the beacon signal is received at multiple antennas. The wireless power transmission system 101 then delivers wireless power to the power receiver client 103 from the multiple antennas 103 based on the detected or measured phase (or direction) of the received beacon at each of the corresponding antennas. In some embodiments, the wireless power transmission system 101 determines the complex conjugate of the measured phase of the beacon and uses the complex conjugate to determine a transmit phase that configures the antennas for delivering and/or otherwise directing wireless power to the power receiver client 103 via the same path over which the beacon signal was received from the power receiver client 103 .
- the wireless power transmission system 101 includes many antennas; one or more of which are used to deliver power to the power receiver client 103 .
- the wireless power transmission system 101 can detect and/or otherwise determine or measure phases at which the beacon signals are received at each antenna. The large number of antennas may result in different phases of the beacon signal being received at each antenna of the wireless power transmission system 101 .
- the wireless power transmission system 101 can determine the complex conjugate of the beacon signals received at each antenna. Using the complex conjugates, one or more antennas may emit a signal that takes into account the effects of the large number of antennas in the wireless power transmission system 101 .
- the wireless power transmission system 101 can emit a wireless power transmission signal from the one or more antennas in such a way as to create an aggregate signal from the one or more of the antennas that approximately recreates the waveform of the beacon in the opposite direction. Said another way, the wireless power transmission system 101 can deliver wireless RF power to the client device via the same paths over which the beacon signal is received at the wireless power transmission system 101 . These paths can utilize reflective objects 106 within the environment. Additionally, the wireless power transmission signals can be simultaneously transmitted from the wireless power transmission system 101 such that the wireless power transmission signals collectively match the antenna radiation and reception pattern of the client device in a three-dimensional (3D) space proximate to the client device.
- 3D three-dimensional
- the beacon (or calibration) signals can be periodically transmitted by power receiver clients 103 within the power delivery environment according to, for example, the BBS, so that the wireless power transmission system 101 can maintain knowledge and/or otherwise track the location of the power receiver clients 103 in the wireless power delivery environment.
- the process of receiving beacon signals from a wireless power receiver client at the wireless power transmission system and, in turn, responding with wireless power directed to that particular client is referred to herein as retrodirective wireless power delivery.
- wireless power can be delivered in power cycles defined by power schedule information.
- a more detailed example of the signaling required to commence wireless power delivery is described now with reference to FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating example components of a wireless power transmission system 300 , in accordance with an embodiment.
- the wireless charger 300 includes a master bus controller (MBC) board and multiple mezzanine boards that collectively comprise the antenna array.
- the MBC includes control logic 310 , an external data interface (I/F) 315 , an external power interface (I/F) 320 , a communication block 330 and proxy 340 .
- the mezzanine (or antenna array boards 350 ) each include multiple antennas 360 a - 360 n . Some or all of the components can be omitted in some embodiments. Additional components are also possible. For example, in some embodiments only one of communication block 330 or proxy 340 may be included.
- the control logic 310 is configured to provide control and intelligence to the array components.
- the control logic 310 may comprise one or more processors, FPGAs, memory units, etc., and direct and control the various data and power communications.
- the communication block 330 can direct data communications on a data carrier frequency, such as the base signal clock for clock synchronization.
- the data communications can be BluetoothTM Wi-FiTM, ZigBeeTM, etc., including combinations or variations thereof.
- the proxy 340 can communicate with clients via data communications as discussed herein.
- the data communications can be, by way of example and not limitation, BluetoothTM, Wi-FiTM ZigBeeTM, etc. Other communication protocols are possible.
- control logic 310 can also facilitate and/or otherwise enable data aggregation for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
- IoT Internet of Things
- wireless power receiver clients can access, track and/or otherwise obtain IoT information about the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded and provide that IoT information to the wireless power transmission system 300 over a data connection.
- This IoT information can be provided to via an external data interface 315 to a central or cloud-based system (not shown) where the data can be aggregated, processed, etc.
- the central system can process the data to identify various trends across geographies, wireless power transmission systems, environments, devices, etc.
- the aggregated data and or the trend data can be used to improve operation of the devices via remote updates, etc.
- the aggregated data can be provided to third party data consumers.
- the wireless power transmission system acts as a Gateway or Enabler for the IoTs.
- the IoT information can include capabilities of the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded, usage information of the device, power levels of the device, information obtained by the device or the wireless power receiver client itself, e.g., via sensors, etc.
- the external power interface 320 is configured to receive external power and provide the power to various components.
- the external power interface 320 may be configured to receive a standard external 24 Volt power supply.
- the external power interface 320 can be, for example, 120/240 Volt AC mains to an embedded DC power supply which sources the required 12/24/48 Volt DC to provide the power to various components.
- the external power interface could be a DC supply which sources the required 12/24/48 Volts DC.
- Alternative configurations are also possible.
- the master bus controller which controls the wireless power transmission system 300 , receives power from a power source and is activated.
- the MBC then activates the proxy antenna elements on the wireless power transmission system and the proxy antenna elements enter a default “discovery” mode to identify available wireless receiver clients within range of the wireless power transmission system.
- the antenna elements on the wireless power transmission system power on, enumerate, and (optionally) calibrate.
- the MBC then generates beacon transmission scheduling information and power transmission scheduling information during a scheduling process.
- the scheduling process includes selection of power receiver clients.
- the MBC can select power receiver clients for power transmission and generate a Beacon Beat Schedule (BBS) cycle and a Power Schedule (PS) for the selected wireless power receiver clients.
- BBS Beacon Beat Schedule
- PS Power Schedule
- the power receiver clients can be selected based on their corresponding properties and/or requirements.
- the MBC can also identify and/or otherwise select available clients that will have their status queried in the Client Query Table (CQT). Clients that are placed in the CQT are those on “standby”, e.g., not receiving a charge.
- the BBS and PS are calculated based on vital information about the clients such as, for example, battery status, current activity/usage, how much longer the client has until it runs out of power, priority in terms of usage, etc.
- the Proxy AE broadcasts the BBS to all clients.
- the BBS indicates when each client should send a beacon.
- the PS indicates when and to which clients the array should send power to and when clients should listen for wireless power.
- Each client starts broadcasting its beacon and receiving power from the array per the BBS and PS.
- the Proxy can concurrently query the Client Query Table to check the status of other available clients.
- a client can only exist in the BBS or the CQT (e.g., waitlist), but not in both.
- the information collected in the previous step continuously and/or periodically updates the BBS cycle and/or the PS.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating example components of a wireless power receiver client, in accordance with some embodiments.
- the receiver 400 includes control logic 410 , battery 420 , an IoT control module 425 , communication block 430 and associated antenna 470 , power meter 440 , rectifier 450 , a combiner 455 , beacon signal generator 460 , beacon coding unit 462 and an associated antenna 480 , and switch 465 connecting the rectifier 450 or the beacon signal generator 460 to one or more associated antennas 490 a - n .
- Some or all of the components can be omitted in some embodiments.
- the wireless power receiver client does not include its own antennas but instead utilizes and/or otherwise shares one or more antennas (e.g., Wi-Fi antenna) of the wireless device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded.
- the wireless power receiver client may include a single antenna that provides data transmission functionality as well as power/data reception functionality. Additional components are also possible.
- a combiner 455 receives and combines the received power transmission signals from the power transmitter in the event that the receiver 400 has more than one antenna.
- the combiner can be any combiner or divider circuit that is configured to achieve isolation between the output ports while maintaining a matched condition.
- the combiner 455 can be a Wilkinson Power Divider circuit.
- the rectifier 450 receives the combined power transmission signal from the combiner 455 , if present, which is fed through the power meter 440 to the battery 420 for charging.
- each antenna's power path can have its own rectifier 450 and the DC power out of the rectifiers is combined prior to feeding the power meter 440 .
- the power meter 440 can measure the received power signal strength and provides the control logic 410 with this measurement.
- Battery 420 can include protection circuitry and/or monitoring functions. Additionally, the battery 420 can include one or more features, including, but not limited to, current limiting, temperature protection, over/under voltage alerts and protection, and coulomb monitoring.
- the control logic 410 can receive the battery power level from the battery 420 itself.
- the control logic 410 may also transmit/receive via the communication block 430 a data signal on a data carrier frequency, such as the base signal clock for clock synchronization.
- the beacon signal generator 460 generates the beacon signal, or calibration signal, transmits the beacon signal using either the antenna 480 or 490 after the beacon signal is encoded.
- the receiver 400 may also receive its power directly from the rectifier 450 . This may be in addition to the rectifier 450 providing charging current to the battery 420 , or in lieu of providing charging. Also, it may be noted that the use of multiple antennas is one example of implementation and the structure may be reduced to one shared antenna.
- control logic 410 and/or the IoT control module 425 can communicate with and/or otherwise derive IoT information from the device in which the wireless power receiver client 400 is embedded.
- the wireless power receiver client 400 can have one or more data connections (wired or wireless) with the device in which the wireless power receiver client 400 is embedded over which IoT information can be obtained.
- IoT information can be determined and/or inferred by the wireless power receiver client 400 , e.g., via one or more sensors.
- the IoT information can include, but is not limited to, information about the capabilities of the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded, usage information of the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded, power levels of the battery or batteries of the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded, and/or information obtained or inferred by the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded or the wireless power receiver client itself, e.g., via sensors, etc.
- a client identifier (ID) module 415 stores a client ID that can uniquely identify the power receiver client in a wireless power delivery environment. For example, the ID can be transmitted to one or more wireless power transmission systems when communication is established. In some embodiments, power receiver clients may also be able to receive and identify other power receiver clients in a wireless power delivery environment based on the client ID.
- An optional motion sensor 495 can detect motion and signal the control logic 410 to act accordingly.
- a device receiving power may integrate motion detection mechanisms such as accelerometers or equivalent mechanisms to detect motion. Once the device detects that it is in motion, it may be assumed that it is being handled by a user, and would trigger a signal to the array to either to stop transmitting power, or to lower the power transmitted to the device.
- the power when a device is used in a moving environment like a car, train or plane, the power might only be transmitted intermittently or at a reduced level unless the device is critically low on power.
- FIGS. 5A and 5B depict diagrams illustrating an example multipath wireless power delivery environment 500 , according to some embodiments.
- the multipath wireless power delivery environment 500 includes a user operating a wireless device 502 including one or more wireless power receiver clients 503 .
- the wireless device 502 and the one or more wireless power receiver clients 503 can be wireless device 102 of FIG. 1 and wireless power receiver client 103 of FIG. 1 or wireless power receiver client 400 of FIG. 4 , respectively, although alternative configurations are possible.
- wireless power transmission system 501 can be wireless power transmission system 101 FIG. 1 or wireless power transmission system 300 of FIG. 3 , although alternative configurations are possible.
- the multipath wireless power delivery environment 500 includes reflective objects 506 and various absorptive objects, e.g., users, or humans, furniture, etc.
- Wireless device 502 includes one or more antennas (or transceivers) that have a radiation and reception pattern 510 in three-dimensional space proximate to the wireless device 102 .
- the one or more antennas (or transceivers) can be wholly or partially included as part of the wireless device 102 and/or the wireless power receiver client (not shown).
- one or more antennas, e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. of the wireless device 502 can be utilized and/or otherwise shared for wireless power reception.
- the radiation and reception pattern 510 comprises a lobe pattern with a primary lobe and multiple side lobes. Other patterns are also possible.
- the wireless device 502 transmits a beacon (or calibration) signal over multiple paths to the wireless power transmission system 501 .
- the wireless device 502 transmits the beacon in the direction of the radiation and reception pattern 510 such that the strength of the received beacon signal by the wireless power transmission system, e.g., RSSI, depends on the radiation and reception pattern 510 .
- beacon signals are not transmitted where there are nulls in the radiation and reception pattern 510 and beacon signals are the strongest at the peaks in the radiation and reception pattern 510 , e.g., peak of the primary lobe.
- the wireless device 502 transmits beacon signals over five paths P 1 -P 5 .
- Paths P 4 and P 5 are blocked by reflective and/or absorptive object 506 .
- the wireless power transmission system 501 receives beacon signals of increasing strengths via paths P 1 -P 3 .
- the bolder lines indicate stronger signals.
- the beacon signals are directionally transmitted in this manner to, for example, avoid unnecessary RF energy exposure to the user.
- the radiation and reception pattern 510 is a three-dimensional lobe shape.
- the radiation and reception pattern 510 can be any number of shapes depending on the type or types, e.g., horn antennas, simple vertical antenna, etc. used in the antenna design.
- the radiation and reception pattern 510 can comprise various directive patterns. Any number of different antenna radiation and reception patterns are possible for each of multiple client devices in a wireless power delivery environment.
- the wireless power transmission system 501 receives the beacon (or calibration) signal via multiple paths P 1 -P 3 at multiple antennas or transceivers. As shown, paths P 2 and P 3 are direct line of sight paths while path P 1 is a non-line of sight path.
- the power transmission system 501 processes the beacon (or calibration) signal to determine one or more receive characteristics of the beacon signal at each of the multiple antennas. For example, among other operations, the wireless power transmission system 501 can measure the phases at which the beacon signal is received at each of the multiple antennas or transceivers.
- the wireless power transmission system 501 processes the one or more receive characteristics of the beacon signal at each of the multiple antennas to determine or measure one or more wireless power transmit characteristics for each of the multiple RF transceivers based on the one or more receive characteristics of the beacon (or calibration) signal as measured at the corresponding antenna or transceiver.
- the wireless power transmit characteristics can include phase settings for each antenna or transceiver, transmission power settings, etc.
- the wireless power transmission system 501 determines the wireless power transmit characteristics such that, once the antennas or transceivers are configured, the multiple antennas or transceivers are operable to transit a wireless power signal that matches the client radiation and reception pattern in the three-dimensional space proximate to the client device.
- FIG. 5B illustrates the wireless power transmission system 501 transmitting wireless power via paths P 1 -P 3 to the wireless device 502 .
- the wireless power signal matches the client radiation and reception pattern 510 in the three-dimensional space proximate to the client device. Said another way, the wireless power transmission system will transmit the wireless power signals in the direction in which the wireless power receiver has maximum gain, e.g., will receive the most wireless power.
- the wireless power transmission system 501 measures the RSSI of the received beacon signal and if the beacon is less than a threshold value, the wireless power transmission system will not send wireless power over that path.
- wireless power receivers In retrodirective wireless power delivery environments, wireless power receivers generate and send beacon (or calibration) signals that are received by an array of antennas of a wireless power transmission system.
- the beacon signals provide the charger with timing information for wireless power transfers, and also indicate directionality of the incoming signal. As discussed herein, this directionality information is employed when transmitting in order to focus energy (e.g., power wave delivery) on individual wireless power receiver clients. Additionally, directionality facilitates other applications such as, for example, tracking device movement.
- wireless power receiver clients in a wireless power delivery environment are tracked by a wireless power transmission system using a three dimensional angle of incidence of an RF signal (at any polarity) paired with a distance determined by using an RF signal strength or any other method.
- an array of antennas capable of measuring phase e.g., the wireless power transmission system array
- a distance to the wireless power receiver client can be determined based on the angle from multiple array segments. Alternatively, or additionally, the distance to the wireless power receiver client can be determined based on power calculations.
- the degree of accuracy in determining the angle of incidence of an RF signal depends on a size of the array of antennas, a number of antennas, a number of phase steps, method of phase detection, accuracy of distance measurement method, RF noise level in environment, etc.
- users may be asked to agree to a privacy policy defined by an administrator for tracking their location and movements within the environment.
- the system can use the location information to modify the flow of information between devices and optimize the environment. Additionally, the system can track historical wireless device location information and develop movement pattern information, profile information, and preference information.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example determination of an incident angle of a wavefront, according to some embodiments.
- the incident angle of a wavefront can be determined using an array of transducers based on, for example, the received phase measurements of four antennas for omnidirectional detection, or three antennas can be used for detecting the wavefront angle on one hemisphere.
- the transmitting device i.e., the wireless device
- the wireless device is assumed to be on a line coming from the center of the three or more antennas out to infinity. If the at least three different antennas are located a sufficient known distance away and are also used to determine incident wave angle, then the convergence of the two lines plotted from the phase-detecting antennas is the location of the device.
- the convergence of the two lines plotted from the phase-detecting antennas is the location of the device.
- ⁇ is the wavelength of the transmitted signal
- ⁇ is the phase offset in radians
- s is the inter-element spacing of the receiving antennas.
- an unambiguous two-dimensional (2D) wavefront angle can be determined for a hemisphere. If three antennas are used, an unambiguous three-dimensional (3D) angle can be determined for a hemisphere. In some embodiments, if a specified number of antennas, e.g., four antennas are used, an unambiguous 3D angle can be determined for a sphere. For example, in one implementation, 0.25 to 0.75 wavelength spacing between antennas can be used. However, other antenna spacing and parameters may be used.
- the antennas described above are omnidirectional antennas which each cover all polarities. In some embodiments, in order to provide omnidirectional coverage at every polarity, more antennas may be needed depending on the antenna type/shape/orientation.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example minimum omnidirectional wavefront angle detector, according to some embodiments.
- the distance to the transmitter can be calculated based on received power compared to a known power (e.g., the power used to transmit), or utilizing other distance determination techniques.
- the distance to the transmitting device can be combined with an angle determined from the above-described process to determine device location.
- the distance to the transmitter can be measured by any other means, including measuring the difference in signal strength between sent and received signals, sonar, timing of signals, etc.
- the receiver directionality (e.g., the direction from which the beacon signal is received) can comprise a phase of the signal as measured at each of multiple antennas of an array. In an array with multiple hundreds, or even thousands, or antenna elements, these calculations may become burdensome or take longer to compute than desirable.
- a method is proposed that leverages previously calculated values to simplify some receiver sampling events.
- each antenna unit automatically and autonomously calculates the phase of the incoming beacon.
- the Antennas (or a representative subset of antennas) then report the detected (or measured phases up to the master controller for analysis).
- the master controller monitors the detected phases over time, looking for a variance to sample for each antenna.
- wireless power receivers generate and send beacon signals that are received by an array of antennas of a wireless power transmission system.
- the beacon signals provide the charger with timing information for wireless power transfers, and also indicate directionality of the incoming signal. As discussed herein, this directionality information is employed when transmitting in order to focus energy (e.g., power wave delivery) on individual wireless power receiver clients.
- a tone power schedule (TPS) system builds on top of the BBS system, adding another layer of configuration beyond the time settings that determine how long a client will tone and how long it will receive power.
- the TPS system is both time- and client-aware.
- a COTA system can time-divide power delivery among several clients during a single Beacon Beat, enabling much more flexibility in the system for clients that may move frequently, have greater-than-average power needs, or have other special considerations.
- the TPS also creates a common language (i.e., the control register set) used between software, transmitter, and receiver clients, so all these components can correctly anticipate when the transmitter will be listening, when it will be sending power, and which client(s) should be involved with the transmitter's current function.
- FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram including an example of controller logic of a wireless charger in a TPS system in accordance with some embodiments.
- control logic 310 and communication block 312 of FIG. 3 is shown for a TPS-enabled system.
- Communication block 312 includes a transceiver IC 802 (“XCVR IC”) configured to send and receive wireless signals for the control logic 310 .
- Transceiver IC 802 is coupled to a transceiver input/output (“I/O”) controller 804 via communication and control lines 806 .
- I/O transceiver input/output
- control logic 310 includes a software controller 808 that has program instructions programmed thereinto or that has access to a computer readable storage medium containing the program instructions that supply control information for the TPS system.
- the software controller 808 will make a burst of traffic to “set up” the TPS cycle, and will then initiate the TPS system with a “go” command
- a controller configuration register block 810 has a block of registers that controls all digital logic in the system.
- the registers in controller configuration register block 810 can be read/write, read-only, or write-only.
- a microsecond counter 812 is a timing block with sufficient configuration to count microseconds out of input system clock cycles. This block incorporates “skip count” smoothing logic to enable fine control of the base oscillator signal and adjust the counting by adding or deleting counts over X microseconds. This way, even an imperfect base oscillator can be configured to accurately count microsecond intervals over periods of several seconds.
- a TPS control register block 814 is a local register block to hold all TPS configuration for the power cycle in progress. Since these power cycles may take several seconds, all configuration is registered in the TPS control register block 814 in case the next power cycle is set up during the current cycle. While a TPS cycle is in progress, this register block 814 will hold the configuration as it was when the power cycle was initiated. Once the power cycle is complete, these registers freely latch the configuration input from the configuration block 810 for the next cycle.
- a TPS client tracker 816 is a block of logic that emulates the tone and power delivery slot enumeration for each client 400 . At all times, the transmitter must be cognizant of which client 400 is set to tone and which client 400 is set to receive power. Therefore, the transmitter 300 includes one “tracker” block 816 per supported client 400 .
- TPS client tracker 816 includes computer readable memory in a computer readable storage medium into which the power transmission configuration for a respective client 400 is stored. TPS client tracker 816 may also be a plurality of registers configured to store the power transmission configuration.
- a TPS finite state machine 818 (“FSM”) is the controlling state machine that marches through the required states to correctly call out receive times, power slots, and perform any time-sensitive communication with the transceiver 312 (such as measure RSSI or calculate phase from measured I and Q values).
- the configuration of states in this machine is highly dependent upon the type of transceiver 312 used in the system, as each type will have different communication and controls to perform the required tasks during the power delivery cycle.
- a TPS external IC controller 820 represents logic initiated at the correct time by the FSM 818 . This logic will momentarily take over the configuration interface and inject new configuration to make the XCVR I/O controller 804 do things, such as go to transmit mode, or measure received signal phase.
- the TPS external IC controller 820 only communicates with the configuration registers of the controller configuration register block 810 , not the transceiver I/O controller 804 directly.
- FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram for a Tone Power Schedule 900 (“TPS”) in accordance with some embodiments.
- TPS 900 includes a plurality of TPS cycles 902 , 904 configured to wirelessly transmit power to a plurality of wireless power receiver clients 103 .
- Each cycle 902 , 904 includes a plurality of Beacon Beats 906 - 914 , and as illustrated, TPS cycles 902 , 904 include five Beacon Beats 906 - 914 for five wireless power receiver clients 103 .
- TPS 900 may include any number of TPS cycles 902 , 904 , and while only two are illustrated for exemplary reasons, it is contemplated that the TPS cycles 902 , 904 will be repeated for as long as necessary to provide wireless power to each client 103 .
- FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram for Beacon Beat 906 of TPS 900 . It is to be understood that Beacon Beat 906 illustrated in FIG. 10 is representative of each Beacon Beat 906 - 914 of TPS 900 .
- Beacon Beat 906 includes a tone time block 1000 in which a wireless power receiver clients 103 is allowed the opportunity to generate and transmit its beacon signal as described above with respect to FIG. 2 .
- the beacon signal received during tone time block 1000 at the wireless power transmission system 101 , 300 is processed as described above to determine a transmit phase that configures the antennas for delivering and/or otherwise directing wireless power to the power receiver client 103 via the same path over which the beacon signal was received from the power receiver client 103 .
- Beacon Beat 906 in the TPS cycle 902 , 904 is configured to deliver power to each power receiver client 103 during the Beacon Beat 906 . That is, once each power receiver client 103 has been given the opportunity to deliver its beacon signal to the wireless power transmission system 101 , 300 , the TPS client trackers 816 set up for each of the five power receiver clients 103 are used to transmit wireless power to each client 103 subsequent to the tone time block 1000 in a respective one of the plurality of power ticks 1002 - 1010 .
- a different power receiver client 103 is given the opportunity to transmit its beacon signal during the respective tone time block 1000 , followed by each of the five clients 103 receiving some power during their respective time slots within the plurality of power ticks 1002 - 1010 .
- FIG. 11 depicts a timing diagram 1100 for a TPS 1102 in accordance with some embodiments.
- a timing diagram 1104 for a wireless power transmission system is shown within TPS 1102 as well as timing diagrams 1106 , 1108 , 1110 for three respective power receiver clients in an illustrative example.
- TPS 1102 includes three Beacon Beats (BB 1 1112 , BB 2 1114 , BB 3 1116 ) in each TPS cycle 1118 to allow for communications and power transmittal to the three power receiver clients.
- TPS 1102 begins the process by sending a TPS “go” signal or command 1120 to all devices to begin the cycle.
- the TPS “go” signal 1120 may be an external signal sent to all electronics in the system or may be a software write to a special address.
- there is a configurable start delay 1122 before the system starts its work. This is to allow all parts of the system adequate time to receive and react to the “GO” command 1120 .
- Tone time block 1124 allows one of the power receiver clients to send its beacon signal as described above.
- Tone time block 1124 includes a receive (“RX”) delay 1126 that causes the wireless power transmission system to wait a short time for the beacon signal from the power receiver client to stabilize.
- RX receive
- phase detection routine 1128 such as that described herein is carried out to determine the complex conjugate of the detected phase plus some calibration offset value.
- This computed result is then stored in the “calculated phase” register such as a TPS client tracker 816 discussed above with respect to FIG. 8 for the client that is beaconing.
- TPS client tracker 816 contains a power transmission configuration for the respective client 103 to be used during power transmission.
- a power up delay 1130 follows the tone time block 1124 to allow the wireless power transmission system to begin the transmission process and to allow its electronics to stabilize. Transceiver devices in the system that use power amplifiers to amplify their transmission signal are given time to allow these amplifiers to power up. Power up delay 1130 allows the wireless power transmission system to switch into the transmit mode early to allow for this power-up time.
- Three power tick time blocks 1132 , 1134 , 1136 follow the power up delay 1130 for supplying wireless power signals to the three power receiver clients in this example.
- the number of power tick time blocks is configurable to the number of power receiver clients in the system.
- the wireless power transmission system configures the power transmission for the respective power receiver client according to the respective TPS client tracker 816 for that client.
- timing diagram 1106 includes a receive window 1138 in each Beacon Beat 1112 - 1116
- timing diagram 1108 includes a receive window 1140 starting with Beacon Beat 1114
- timing diagram 1110 includes a receive window 1142 starting with Beacon Beat 1116 .
- Receive windows 1140 and 1142 begin later than timing diagram 1106 due to the transmit windows 1144 , 1146 that respectively begin in Beacon Beat 1114 and Beacon Beat 1116 .
- the respective TPS client tracker 816 Prior to the initial transmission of a beacon signal from a power receiver client, the respective TPS client tracker 816 is not yet configured to allow the wireless power transmission system to know how to configure the antennas to deliver power to the client. However, once the TPS client tracker 816 is configured, power delivery to the respective client is possible.
- Each timing diagram 1106 - 1110 includes three states for the respective power receiver clients: power usage occurring during its respective tone time 1124 , power reception occurring during its respective power tick time block 1132 - 1136 , and the rest of the cycle the client is sleeping to save power.
- FIG. 12 depicts a timing diagram 1200 for a TPS 1202 in accordance with another embodiment. Similar to timing diagram 1100 , timing diagram 1200 includes a timing diagram 1204 for a wireless power transmission system as well as timing diagrams 1206 , 1208 , 1210 for three respective power receiver clients in an illustrative example. The initialization of the TPS cycle (e.g., transmission of a “go” command) is not shown.
- timing diagram 1210 shows no activity for the third client during any of the power tick time blocks.
- the power tick time block normally reserved for the third client may be given to one of the other clients such as the client corresponding to the timing diagram 1206 . As shown, this allows the first client to receive power during two of the power tick time blocks instead of during only one power tick time block as discussed above with respect to timing diagram 1100 .
- timing diagram 1208 While not shown, it is to be understood that should the second client corresponding with timing diagram 1208 also find itself fully charged and no longer in need of receiving wireless power signals, it, too, could give up its power tick time block such that the first client could receive power during all three power tick time blocks.
- Other like configurations are also possible and considered to be within the scope of that disclosed herein.
- FIG. 13 depicts a timing diagram 1300 for a TPS 1302 in accordance with another embodiment. Similar to timing diagram 1100 , timing diagram 1300 includes a timing diagram 1304 for a wireless power transmission system as well as timing diagrams 1306 , 1308 , 1310 for three respective power receiver clients in an illustrative example. The initialization of the TPS cycle (e.g., transmission of a “go” command) is not shown.
- each Beacon Beat 1312 nevertheless includes more power tick time block than the number of power receiver clients.
- a particular client such as the client corresponding with timing diagram 1306
- the wireless power transmission system 101 may assign the particular client to be at a higher priority than one or more of the other clients.
- one or more additional power tick time blocks in Beacon Beat 1312 may be dedicated to provide additional power to the more important client in each Beacon Beat to increase its power level at a faster rate than the other clients in the system.
- FIG. 14 depicts a timing diagram 1400 for a TPS 1402 in accordance with another embodiment. Similar to timing diagram 1100 , timing diagram 1400 includes a timing diagram 1404 for a wireless power transmission system as well as timing diagrams 1406 , 1408 , 1410 for three respective power receiver clients in an illustrative example. The initialization of the TPS cycle (e.g., transmission of a “go” command) is not shown.
- stationary power sources do not need to transmit beacon signals to the wireless power transmission system once the wireless power transmission system knows the configuration set up in the respective TPS client tracker 816 . If the client is not moving and is stationary, then receipt of the beacon signal at the wireless power transmission system should result in the same calculations being made. Accordingly, re-detecting the phase plus calibration offset value may be eliminated to save power at the client by not requiring the client to transmit its beacon signal.
- the second and third clients corresponding to respective timing diagram 1408 , 1410 are shown to not transmit their beacon signals during their assigned power tick time blocks. Yet, these clients are still configured to acquire wireless power signals from the wireless power transmission system in order to charge their power sources.
- FIG. 15 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of a representative mobile device or tablet computer 1500 with a wireless power receiver or client in the form of a mobile (or smart) phone or tablet computer device, according to an embodiment.
- Various interfaces and modules are shown with reference to FIG. 15 , however, the mobile device or tablet computer does not require all of modules or functions for performing the functionality described herein.
- various components are not included and/or necessary for operation of the category controller.
- components such as GPS radios, cellular radios, and accelerometers may not be included in the controllers to reduce costs and/or complexity.
- components such as ZigBee radios and RFID transceivers, along with antennas, can populate the Printed Circuit Board.
- the wireless power receiver client can be a power receiver client 103 of FIG. 1 , although alternative configurations are possible. Additionally, the wireless power receiver client can include one or more RF antennas for reception of power and/or data signals from a power transmission system, e.g., wireless power transmission system 101 of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 16 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in the example form, of a computer system within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed.
- the computer system includes a processor, memory, non-volatile memory, and an interface device.
- Various common components e.g., cache memory
- the computer system 1600 is intended to illustrate a hardware device on which any of the components depicted in the example of FIG. 1 (and any other components described in this specification) can be implemented.
- the computer system can be any radiating object or antenna array system.
- the computer system can be of any applicable known or convenient type.
- the components of the computer system can be coupled together via a bus or through some other known or convenient device.
- the processor may be, for example, a conventional microprocessor such as an Intel Pentium microprocessor or Motorola power PC microprocessor.
- Intel Pentium microprocessor or Motorola power PC microprocessor.
- machine-readable (storage) medium or “computer-readable (storage) medium” include any type of device that is accessible by the processor.
- the memory is coupled to the processor by, for example, a bus.
- the memory can include, by way of example but not limitation, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM).
- RAM random access memory
- DRAM dynamic RAM
- SRAM static RAM
- the memory can be local, remote, or distributed.
- the bus also couples the processor to the non-volatile memory and drive unit.
- the non-volatile memory is often a magnetic floppy or hard disk, a magnetic-optical disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), such as a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic or optical card, or another form of storage for large amounts of data. Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory access process, into memory during execution of software in the computer 1600 .
- the non-volatile storage can be local, remote, or distributed.
- the non-volatile memory is optional because systems can be created with all applicable data available in memory.
- a typical computer system will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a device (e.g., a bus) coupling the memory to the processor.
- Software is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or the drive unit. Indeed, for large programs, it may not even be possible to store the entire program in the memory. Nevertheless, it should be understood that for software to run, if necessary, it is moved to a computer readable location appropriate for processing, and for illustrative purposes, that location is referred to as the memory in this paper. Even when software is moved to the memory for execution, the processor will typically make use of hardware registers to store values associated with the software, and local cache that, ideally, serves to speed up execution. As used herein, a software program is assumed to be stored at any known or convenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardware registers) when the software program is referred to as “implemented in a computer-readable medium”. A processor is considered to be “configured to execute a program” when at least one value associated with the program is stored in a register readable by the processor.
- the bus also couples the processor to the network interface device.
- the interface can include one or more of a modem or network interface. It will be appreciated that a modem or network interface can be considered to be part of the computer system.
- the interface can include an analog modem, isdn modem, cable modem, token ring interface, satellite transmission interface (e.g. “direct PC”), or other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer systems.
- the interface can include one or more input and/or output devices.
- the I/O devices can include, by way of example but not limitation, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other input and/or output devices, including a display device.
- the display device can include, by way of example but not limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or some other applicable known or convenient display device.
- CTR cathode ray tube
- LCD liquid crystal display
- controllers of any devices not depicted in the example of FIG. 16 reside in the interface.
- the computer system 1600 can be controlled by operating system software that includes a file management system, such as a disk operating system.
- operating system software with associated file management system software is the family of operating systems known as Windows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and their associated file management systems.
- Windows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.
- Windows® is the family of operating systems known as Windows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.
- Linux operating system is the Linux operating system and its associated file management system.
- the file management system is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit and causes the processor to execute the various acts required by the operating system to input and output data and to store data in the memory, including storing files on the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit.
- the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines.
- the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a client-server network environment or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.
- the machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, an iPhone, a Blackberry, a processor, a telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.
- PC personal computer
- PDA personal digital assistant
- machine-readable medium or machine-readable storage medium is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions.
- the term “machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the presently disclosed technique and innovation.
- routines executed to implement the embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented as part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, object, module or sequence of instructions referred to as “computer programs.”
- the computer programs typically comprise one or more instructions set at various times in various memory and storage devices in a computer, and that, when read and executed by one or more processing units or processors in a computer, cause the computer to perform operations to execute elements involving the various aspects of the disclosure.
- machine-readable storage media machine-readable media, or computer-readable (storage) media
- recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices, floppy and other removable disks, hard disk drives, optical disks (e.g., Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD ROMS), Digital Versatile Disks, (DVDs), etc.), among others, and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links.
- CD ROMS Compact Disk Read-Only Memory
- DVDs Digital Versatile Disks
- transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links.
- the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.”
- the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof.
- the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.
- words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively.
- the word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.
Abstract
Description
- The technology described herein relates generally to the field of wireless power transmission and reception processing, more specifically, to techniques for timing the receive (Rx) and transmission (Tx) cycles of a client wireless antenna system such that the radio frequency (RF) energy received between RF energy cycles can be delivered directly to the device or stored in a client's battery by a wireless charging system, enhance the Rx signal opportunities, or make the Tx signal more efficient. This unique method and process of discovery is referred to herein as the Tone Power Scheduler. It is a client-aware process of timed power delivery modulation in wireless power delivery system environments and in accordance with some embodiments.
- Many electronic devices are powered by batteries. Rechargeable batteries are often used to avoid the cost of replacing conventional dry-cell batteries and to conserve precious resources. However, recharging batteries with conventional rechargeable battery chargers requires access to an alternating current (AC) power outlet, which is sometimes not available or not convenient. It would, therefore, be desirable to derive power for electronics wirelessly.
- In the field of wireless charging, safe and reliable use within a business or home environment is of the utmost concern. To date, wireless charging has been limited to magnetic or inductive charging based solutions. Unfortunately, these solutions require a wireless power transmission system and a receiver to be in relatively close proximity to one another. Wireless power transmission at larger distances requires more advanced mechanisms such as, for example, transmission via radio frequency (RF) signals, ultrasonic transmissions, laser powering, to name a few, each of which presents a number of unique hurdles to commercial success.
- The most viable systems to date utilize power transmission via RF. However, in the context of RF transmission within a residence, commercial building, or other habited environment, there are many reasons to limit the RF exposure levels of the transmitted signals. Consequently, power delivery is constrained to relatively low power levels (typically on the order of milliWatts). Due to this low energy transfer rate, it is imperative that the system is efficient.
- In a free space wireless environment, radiation from an omnidirectional radiator or antenna propagates as an expanding sphere. The power density is reduced as the surface area of the sphere increases in the ratio of 1/r2, where r is the radius of the sphere. This type of radiator is often referred to as isotropic, with an omnidirectional radiation pattern, and it is usual to refer to antennas in terms of their directivity vs. gain as dBi—decibels over isotropic. If the intended receiver of the transmission is at a particular point relative to the transmitting radiator, being able to direct the power toward an intended receiver means that more power will be available at the receiving system for a given distance than would have been the case if the power had been omnidirectional radiated. This concept of directivity is very important because it improves the system performance. A very simple analog is seen in the use of a small lamp to provide light and the effect of directing the energy using a reflector or lens to make a flashlight where the power is used to illuminate a preferred region at the expense of having little to no illumination elsewhere.
- Central to mechanisms for directionally focusing transmissions in charging-over-the-air (COTA) systems is the ability to switch between receive and transmit modes in order to listen for beacon signals from clients and to provide power signals to clients, respectively. In COTA systems that rely on counters to provide the switching, the transmitter has no real knowledge of which clients beaconed when. In this manner, the transmitter simply returns power to whichever client beaconed when it was listening. Such systems are time-aware but lack the ability to also be client-aware.
- Accordingly, a need exists for technology that overcomes the problem demonstrated above, as well as one that provides additional benefits, such as battery charging from received RF power signals while operating. The examples provided herein of some prior or related systems and their associated limitations are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of existing or prior systems will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the following Detailed Description.
- In one example, a method for wireless power transmission comprises receiving, at an antenna array of a wireless power transmission system and during a first tone time block, a beacon signal from a first wireless power receiver client of a plurality of wireless power receiver clients configured to receive wireless power delivery from the wireless power transmission system. The method also comprises calculating a first power transmission configuration for the first wireless power receiver client and controlling the antenna array according to the first power transmission configuration to deliver wireless power to the first wireless power receiver client during a first power tick time block of a plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block, wherein the plurality of power tick time blocks occurs before a second tone time block subsequent to the first tone time block. The method further comprises controlling the antenna array according to a second power transmission configuration calculated for a second wireless power receiver client of the plurality of wireless power receiver clients to deliver wireless power to the second wireless power receiver client during a second power tick time block of the plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block.
- In another example, a method for wireless power transmission comprises sending, via an antenna of a first wireless power receiver client and during a first tone time block, a beacon signal to a wireless power transmission system. During a first power tick time block of a plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block, a wireless power signal is received from an antenna array of the wireless power transmission system, wherein the plurality of power tick time blocks occurs before a second tone time block subsequent to the first tone time block. When not sending the beacon signal and when not receiving the wireless power signal, a low power mode is entered that is configured to consume less power than a power consumed by the first wireless power receiver during either the sending of the beacon signal or the receiving of the wireless power signal.
- In yet another example, a wireless power transmission system comprises a wireless power transmission system comprising an antenna array. The system also comprises a plurality of wireless power receiver clients configured to receive wireless power delivery from the wireless power transmission system. The plurality of wireless power receiver clients comprises a first wireless power receiver client comprising a first antenna, and a second wireless power receiver client comprising a second antenna. The first wireless power receiver client is configured to send, via the first antenna and during a first tone time block, a beacon signal to the wireless power transmission system. The first wireless power receiver client is also configured to, during a first power tick time block of a plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block, receive a wireless power signal from the antenna array, wherein the plurality of power tick time blocks occurs before a second tone time block subsequent to the first tone time block. The first wireless power receiver client is further configured to, when not sending the beacon signal and when not receiving the wireless power signal, enter into a low power mode configured to consume less power than a power consumed by the first wireless power receiver during either the sending of the beacon signal or the receiving of the wireless power signal. The wireless power transmission system is configured to receive the beacon signal from the first wireless power receiver client and calculate a first power transmission configuration for the first wireless power receiver client. The wireless power transmission system is also configured to control the antenna array according to the first power transmission configuration to deliver wireless power to the first wireless power receiver client during a first power tick time block of a plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block, wherein the plurality of power tick time blocks occurs before a second tone time block subsequent to the first tone time block. The wireless power transmission system is further configured to control the antenna array according to a second power transmission configuration calculated for the second wireless power receiver client to deliver wireless power thereto during a second power tick time block of the plurality of power tick time blocks following the first tone time block.
- The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
- One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.
-
FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram including an example wireless power delivery environment illustrating wireless power delivery from one or more wireless power transmission systems to various wireless devices within the wireless power delivery environment in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 2 depicts a sequence diagram illustrating example operations between a wireless power transmission system and a wireless receiver client for commencing wireless power delivery in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of a wireless power transmission system in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of a wireless power receiver client in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIGS. 5A and 5B depict diagrams illustrating an example multipath wireless power delivery environment in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example determination of an incident angle of a wavefront in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example minimum omnidirectional wavefront angle detector in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram including an example of controller logic of a wireless charger in a TPS system in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram for a Tone Power Schedule (TPS) in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram for a single Beacon Beat of the TPS ofFIG. 9 in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 11 depicts a timing diagram for a TPS in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 12 depicts a timing diagram for a TPS in accordance with another embodiment. -
FIG. 13 depicts a timing diagram for a TPS in accordance with another embodiment. -
FIG. 14 depicts a timing diagram for a TPS in accordance with another embodiment. -
FIG. 15 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of a representative mobile device or tablet computer with one or more wireless power receiver clients in the form of a mobile (or smart) phone or tablet computer device in accordance with some embodiments. -
FIG. 16 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in the example form, of a computer system within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed. - The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments.
- Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but no other embodiments.
- The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that same thing can be said in more than one way.
- Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.
- Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.
- I. Wireless Power Transmission System Overview/Architecture
-
FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram including an example wirelesspower delivery environment 100 illustrating wireless power delivery from one or more wireless power transmission systems (WPTS) 101 a-n (also referred to as “wireless power delivery systems”, “antenna array systems” and “wireless chargers”) to various wireless devices 102 a-n within the wirelesspower delivery environment 100, according to some embodiments. More specifically,FIG. 1 illustrates an example wirelesspower delivery environment 100 in which wireless power and/or data can be delivered to available wireless devices 102 a-102 n having one or more wirelesspower receiver clients 103 a-103 n (also referred to herein as “clients” and “wireless power receivers”). The wireless power receiver clients are configured to receive and process wireless power from one or more wirelesspower transmission systems 101 a-101 n. Components of an example wirelesspower receiver client 103 are shown and discussed in greater detail with reference toFIG. 4 . - As shown in the example of
FIG. 1 , the wireless devices 102 a-102 n include mobile phone devices and a wireless game controller. However, the wireless devices 102 a-102 n can be any device or system that needs power and is capable of receiving wireless power via one or more integratedpower receiver clients 103 a-103 n. As discussed herein, the one or more integrated power receiver clients receive and process power from one or more wirelesspower transmission systems 101 a-101 n and provide the power to the wireless devices 102 a-102 n (or internal batteries of the wireless devices) for operation thereof. - Each wireless
power transmission system 101 can include multiple antennas 104 a-n, e.g., an antenna array including hundreds or thousands of antennas, which are capable of delivering wireless power to wireless devices 102. In some embodiments, the antennas are adaptively-phased radio frequency (RF) antennas. The wirelesspower transmission system 101 is capable of determining the appropriate phases with which to deliver a coherent power transmission signal to thepower receiver clients 103. The array is configured to emit a signal (e.g., continuous wave or pulsed power transmission signal) from multiple antennas at a specific phase relative to each other. It is appreciated that use of the term “array” does not necessarily limit the antenna array to any specific array structure. That is, the antenna array does not need to be structured in a specific “array” form or geometry. Furthermore, as used herein he term “array” or “array system” may be used include related and peripheral circuitry for signal generation, reception and transmission, such as radios, digital logic and modems. In some embodiments, the wirelesspower transmission system 101 can have an embedded Wi-Fi hub for data communications via one or more antennas or transceivers. - The wireless devices 102 can include one or more receive
power clients 103. As illustrated in the example ofFIG. 1 , power delivery antennas 104 a-104 n are shown. Thepower delivery antennas 104 a are configured to provide delivery of wireless radio frequency power in the wireless power delivery environment. In some embodiments, one or more of the power delivery antennas 104 a-104 n can alternatively or additionally be configured for data communications in addition to or in lieu of wireless power delivery. The one or more data communication antennas are configured to send data communications to and receive data communications from thepower receiver clients 103 a-103 n and/or the wireless devices 102 a-102 n. In some embodiments, the data communication antennas can communicate via Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, etc. Other data communication protocols are also possible. - Each
power receiver client 103 a-103 n includes one or more antennas (not shown) for receiving signals from the wirelesspower transmission systems 101 a-101 n. Likewise, each wirelesspower transmission system 101 a-101 n includes an antenna array having one or more antennas and/or sets of antennas capable of emitting continuous wave or discrete (pulse) signals at specific phases relative to each other. As discussed above, each the wirelesspower transmission systems 101 a-101 n is capable of determining the appropriate phases for delivering the coherent signals to the power receiver clients 102 a-102 n. For example, in some embodiments, coherent signals can be determined by computing the complex conjugate of a received beacon (or calibration) signal at each antenna of the array such that the coherent signal is phased for delivering power to the particular power receiver client that transmitted the beacon (or calibration) signal. - Although not illustrated, each component of the environment, e.g., wireless device, wireless power transmission system, etc., can include control and synchronization mechanisms, e.g., a data communication synchronization module. The wireless
power transmission systems 101 a-101 n can be connected to a power source such as, for example, a power outlet or source connecting the wireless power transmission systems to a standard or primary alternating current (AC) power supply in a building. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more of the wirelesspower transmission systems 101 a-101 n can be powered by a battery or via other mechanisms, e.g., solar cells, etc. - The power receiver clients 102 a-102 n and/or the wireless
power transmission systems 101 a-101 n are configured to operate in a multipath wireless power delivery environment. That is, the power receiver clients 102 a-102 n and the wirelesspower transmission systems 101 a-101 n are configured to utilizereflective objects 106 such as, for example, walls or other RF reflective obstructions within range to transmit beacon (or calibration) signals and/or receive wireless power and/or data within the wireless power delivery environment. Thereflective objects 106 can be utilized for multi-directional signal communication regardless of whether a blocking object is in the line of sight between the wireless power transmission system and the power receiver client. - As described herein, each wireless device 102 a-102 n can be any system and/or device, and/or any combination of devices/systems that can establish a connection with another device, a server and/or other systems within the
example environment 100. In some embodiments, the wireless devices 102 a-102 n include displays or other output functionalities to present data to a user and/or input functionalities to receive data from the user. By way of example, a wireless device 102 can be, but is not limited to, a video game controller, a server desktop, a desktop computer, a computer cluster, a mobile computing device such as a notebook, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, a Blackberry device, a Treo, and/or an iPhone, etc. By way of example and not limitation, the wireless device 102 can also be any wearable device such as watches, necklaces, rings or even devices embedded on or within the customer. Other examples of a wireless device 102 include, but are not limited to, safety sensors (e.g., fire or carbon monoxide), electric toothbrushes, electronic door lock/handles, electric light switch controller, electric shavers, etc. - Although not illustrated in the example of
FIG. 1 , the wirelesspower transmission system 101 and thepower receiver clients 103 a-103 n can each include a data communication module for communication via a data channel. Alternatively, or additionally, thepower receiver clients 103 a-103 n can direct the wireless devices 102.1-102.n to communicate with the wireless power transmission system via existing data communications modules. In some embodiments the beacon signal, which is primarily referred to herein as a continuous waveform, can alternatively or additionally take the form of a modulated signal. -
FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram 200 illustrating example operations between a wireless power delivery system (e.g., WPTS 101) and a wireless power receiver client (e.g., wireless power receiver client 103) for establishing wireless power delivery in a multipath wireless power delivery, according to an embodiment. Initially, communication is established between the wirelesspower transmission system 101 and thepower receiver client 103. The initial communication can be, for example, a data communication link that is established via one or more antennas 104 of the wirelesspower transmission system 101. As discussed, in some embodiments, one or more of the antennas 104 a-104 n can be data antennas, wireless power transmission antennas, or dual-purpose data/power antennas. Various information can be exchanged between the wirelesspower transmission system 101 and the wirelesspower receiver client 103 over this data communication channel. For example, wireless power signaling can be time sliced among various clients in a wireless power delivery environment. In such cases, the wirelesspower transmission system 101 can send beacon schedule information, e.g., Beacon Beat Schedule (BBS) cycle, power cycle information, etc., so that the wirelesspower receiver client 103 knows when to transmit (broadcast) its beacon signals and when to listen for power, etc. - Continuing with the example of
FIG. 2 , the wirelesspower transmission system 101 selects one or more wireless power receiver clients for receiving power and sends the beacon schedule information to the selectpower receiver clients 103. The wirelesspower transmission system 101 can also send power transmission scheduling information so that thepower receiver client 103 knows when to expect (e.g., a window of time) wireless power from the wireless power transmission system. Thepower receiver client 103 then generates a beacon (or calibration) signal and broadcasts the beacon during an assigned beacon transmission window (or time slice) indicated by the beacon schedule information, e.g., Beacon Beat Schedule (BBS) cycle. As discussed herein, the wirelesspower receiver client 103 include one or more antennas (or transceivers) which have a radiation and reception pattern in three-dimensional space proximate to the wireless device 102 in which thepower receiver client 103 is embedded. - The wireless
power transmission system 101 receives the beacon from thepower receiver client 103 and detects and/or otherwise measures the phase (or direction) from which the beacon signal is received at multiple antennas. The wirelesspower transmission system 101 then delivers wireless power to thepower receiver client 103 from themultiple antennas 103 based on the detected or measured phase (or direction) of the received beacon at each of the corresponding antennas. In some embodiments, the wirelesspower transmission system 101 determines the complex conjugate of the measured phase of the beacon and uses the complex conjugate to determine a transmit phase that configures the antennas for delivering and/or otherwise directing wireless power to thepower receiver client 103 via the same path over which the beacon signal was received from thepower receiver client 103. - In some embodiments, the wireless
power transmission system 101 includes many antennas; one or more of which are used to deliver power to thepower receiver client 103. The wirelesspower transmission system 101 can detect and/or otherwise determine or measure phases at which the beacon signals are received at each antenna. The large number of antennas may result in different phases of the beacon signal being received at each antenna of the wirelesspower transmission system 101. As discussed above, the wirelesspower transmission system 101 can determine the complex conjugate of the beacon signals received at each antenna. Using the complex conjugates, one or more antennas may emit a signal that takes into account the effects of the large number of antennas in the wirelesspower transmission system 101. In other words, the wirelesspower transmission system 101 can emit a wireless power transmission signal from the one or more antennas in such a way as to create an aggregate signal from the one or more of the antennas that approximately recreates the waveform of the beacon in the opposite direction. Said another way, the wirelesspower transmission system 101 can deliver wireless RF power to the client device via the same paths over which the beacon signal is received at the wirelesspower transmission system 101. These paths can utilizereflective objects 106 within the environment. Additionally, the wireless power transmission signals can be simultaneously transmitted from the wirelesspower transmission system 101 such that the wireless power transmission signals collectively match the antenna radiation and reception pattern of the client device in a three-dimensional (3D) space proximate to the client device. - As shown, the beacon (or calibration) signals can be periodically transmitted by
power receiver clients 103 within the power delivery environment according to, for example, the BBS, so that the wirelesspower transmission system 101 can maintain knowledge and/or otherwise track the location of thepower receiver clients 103 in the wireless power delivery environment. The process of receiving beacon signals from a wireless power receiver client at the wireless power transmission system and, in turn, responding with wireless power directed to that particular client is referred to herein as retrodirective wireless power delivery. - Furthermore, as discussed herein, wireless power can be delivered in power cycles defined by power schedule information. A more detailed example of the signaling required to commence wireless power delivery is described now with reference to
FIG. 3 . -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating example components of a wirelesspower transmission system 300, in accordance with an embodiment. As illustrated in the example ofFIG. 3 , thewireless charger 300 includes a master bus controller (MBC) board and multiple mezzanine boards that collectively comprise the antenna array. The MBC includescontrol logic 310, an external data interface (I/F) 315, an external power interface (I/F) 320, acommunication block 330 andproxy 340. The mezzanine (or antenna array boards 350) each include multiple antennas 360 a-360 n. Some or all of the components can be omitted in some embodiments. Additional components are also possible. For example, in some embodiments only one ofcommunication block 330 orproxy 340 may be included. - The
control logic 310 is configured to provide control and intelligence to the array components. Thecontrol logic 310 may comprise one or more processors, FPGAs, memory units, etc., and direct and control the various data and power communications. Thecommunication block 330 can direct data communications on a data carrier frequency, such as the base signal clock for clock synchronization. The data communications can be Bluetooth™ Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™, etc., including combinations or variations thereof. Likewise, theproxy 340 can communicate with clients via data communications as discussed herein. The data communications can be, by way of example and not limitation, Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™ ZigBee™, etc. Other communication protocols are possible. - In some embodiments, the
control logic 310 can also facilitate and/or otherwise enable data aggregation for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. In some embodiments, wireless power receiver clients can access, track and/or otherwise obtain IoT information about the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded and provide that IoT information to the wirelesspower transmission system 300 over a data connection. This IoT information can be provided to via anexternal data interface 315 to a central or cloud-based system (not shown) where the data can be aggregated, processed, etc. For example, the central system can process the data to identify various trends across geographies, wireless power transmission systems, environments, devices, etc. In some embodiments, the aggregated data and or the trend data can be used to improve operation of the devices via remote updates, etc. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the aggregated data can be provided to third party data consumers. In this manner, the wireless power transmission system acts as a Gateway or Enabler for the IoTs. By way of example and not limitation, the IoT information can include capabilities of the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded, usage information of the device, power levels of the device, information obtained by the device or the wireless power receiver client itself, e.g., via sensors, etc. - The
external power interface 320 is configured to receive external power and provide the power to various components. In some embodiments, theexternal power interface 320 may be configured to receive a standard external 24 Volt power supply. In other embodiments, theexternal power interface 320 can be, for example, 120/240 Volt AC mains to an embedded DC power supply which sources the required 12/24/48 Volt DC to provide the power to various components. Alternatively, the external power interface could be a DC supply which sources the required 12/24/48 Volts DC. Alternative configurations are also possible. - In operation, the master bus controller (MBC), which controls the wireless
power transmission system 300, receives power from a power source and is activated. The MBC then activates the proxy antenna elements on the wireless power transmission system and the proxy antenna elements enter a default “discovery” mode to identify available wireless receiver clients within range of the wireless power transmission system. When a client is found, the antenna elements on the wireless power transmission system power on, enumerate, and (optionally) calibrate. - The MBC then generates beacon transmission scheduling information and power transmission scheduling information during a scheduling process. The scheduling process includes selection of power receiver clients. For example, the MBC can select power receiver clients for power transmission and generate a Beacon Beat Schedule (BBS) cycle and a Power Schedule (PS) for the selected wireless power receiver clients. As discussed herein, the power receiver clients can be selected based on their corresponding properties and/or requirements.
- In some embodiments, the MBC can also identify and/or otherwise select available clients that will have their status queried in the Client Query Table (CQT). Clients that are placed in the CQT are those on “standby”, e.g., not receiving a charge. The BBS and PS are calculated based on vital information about the clients such as, for example, battery status, current activity/usage, how much longer the client has until it runs out of power, priority in terms of usage, etc.
- The Proxy AE broadcasts the BBS to all clients. As discussed herein, the BBS indicates when each client should send a beacon. Likewise, the PS indicates when and to which clients the array should send power to and when clients should listen for wireless power. Each client starts broadcasting its beacon and receiving power from the array per the BBS and PS. The Proxy can concurrently query the Client Query Table to check the status of other available clients. In some embodiments, a client can only exist in the BBS or the CQT (e.g., waitlist), but not in both. The information collected in the previous step continuously and/or periodically updates the BBS cycle and/or the PS.
-
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating example components of a wireless power receiver client, in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated in the example ofFIG. 4 , thereceiver 400 includescontrol logic 410,battery 420, anIoT control module 425,communication block 430 and associatedantenna 470,power meter 440,rectifier 450, acombiner 455,beacon signal generator 460,beacon coding unit 462 and an associatedantenna 480, and switch 465 connecting therectifier 450 or thebeacon signal generator 460 to one or more associated antennas 490 a-n. Some or all of the components can be omitted in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the wireless power receiver client does not include its own antennas but instead utilizes and/or otherwise shares one or more antennas (e.g., Wi-Fi antenna) of the wireless device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded. Moreover, in some embodiments, the wireless power receiver client may include a single antenna that provides data transmission functionality as well as power/data reception functionality. Additional components are also possible. - A
combiner 455 receives and combines the received power transmission signals from the power transmitter in the event that thereceiver 400 has more than one antenna. The combiner can be any combiner or divider circuit that is configured to achieve isolation between the output ports while maintaining a matched condition. For example, thecombiner 455 can be a Wilkinson Power Divider circuit. Therectifier 450 receives the combined power transmission signal from thecombiner 455, if present, which is fed through thepower meter 440 to thebattery 420 for charging. In other embodiments, each antenna's power path can have itsown rectifier 450 and the DC power out of the rectifiers is combined prior to feeding thepower meter 440. Thepower meter 440 can measure the received power signal strength and provides thecontrol logic 410 with this measurement. -
Battery 420 can include protection circuitry and/or monitoring functions. Additionally, thebattery 420 can include one or more features, including, but not limited to, current limiting, temperature protection, over/under voltage alerts and protection, and coulomb monitoring. - The
control logic 410 can receive the battery power level from thebattery 420 itself. Thecontrol logic 410 may also transmit/receive via the communication block 430 a data signal on a data carrier frequency, such as the base signal clock for clock synchronization. Thebeacon signal generator 460 generates the beacon signal, or calibration signal, transmits the beacon signal using either theantenna 480 or 490 after the beacon signal is encoded. - It may be noted that, although the
battery 420 is shown as charged by, and providing power to, thereceiver 400, the receiver may also receive its power directly from therectifier 450. This may be in addition to therectifier 450 providing charging current to thebattery 420, or in lieu of providing charging. Also, it may be noted that the use of multiple antennas is one example of implementation and the structure may be reduced to one shared antenna. - In some embodiments, the
control logic 410 and/or theIoT control module 425 can communicate with and/or otherwise derive IoT information from the device in which the wirelesspower receiver client 400 is embedded. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the wirelesspower receiver client 400 can have one or more data connections (wired or wireless) with the device in which the wirelesspower receiver client 400 is embedded over which IoT information can be obtained. Alternatively, or additionally, IoT information can be determined and/or inferred by the wirelesspower receiver client 400, e.g., via one or more sensors. As discussed above, the IoT information can include, but is not limited to, information about the capabilities of the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded, usage information of the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded, power levels of the battery or batteries of the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded, and/or information obtained or inferred by the device in which the wireless power receiver client is embedded or the wireless power receiver client itself, e.g., via sensors, etc. - In some embodiments, a client identifier (ID)
module 415 stores a client ID that can uniquely identify the power receiver client in a wireless power delivery environment. For example, the ID can be transmitted to one or more wireless power transmission systems when communication is established. In some embodiments, power receiver clients may also be able to receive and identify other power receiver clients in a wireless power delivery environment based on the client ID. - An
optional motion sensor 495 can detect motion and signal thecontrol logic 410 to act accordingly. For example, a device receiving power may integrate motion detection mechanisms such as accelerometers or equivalent mechanisms to detect motion. Once the device detects that it is in motion, it may be assumed that it is being handled by a user, and would trigger a signal to the array to either to stop transmitting power, or to lower the power transmitted to the device. In some embodiments, when a device is used in a moving environment like a car, train or plane, the power might only be transmitted intermittently or at a reduced level unless the device is critically low on power. -
FIGS. 5A and 5B depict diagrams illustrating an example multipath wirelesspower delivery environment 500, according to some embodiments. The multipath wirelesspower delivery environment 500 includes a user operating awireless device 502 including one or more wirelesspower receiver clients 503. Thewireless device 502 and the one or more wirelesspower receiver clients 503 can be wireless device 102 ofFIG. 1 and wirelesspower receiver client 103 ofFIG. 1 or wirelesspower receiver client 400 ofFIG. 4 , respectively, although alternative configurations are possible. Likewise, wirelesspower transmission system 501 can be wirelesspower transmission system 101FIG. 1 or wirelesspower transmission system 300 ofFIG. 3 , although alternative configurations are possible. The multipath wirelesspower delivery environment 500 includesreflective objects 506 and various absorptive objects, e.g., users, or humans, furniture, etc. -
Wireless device 502 includes one or more antennas (or transceivers) that have a radiation andreception pattern 510 in three-dimensional space proximate to the wireless device 102. The one or more antennas (or transceivers) can be wholly or partially included as part of the wireless device 102 and/or the wireless power receiver client (not shown). For example, in some embodiments one or more antennas, e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. of thewireless device 502 can be utilized and/or otherwise shared for wireless power reception. As shown in the example ofFIGS. 5A and 5B , the radiation andreception pattern 510 comprises a lobe pattern with a primary lobe and multiple side lobes. Other patterns are also possible. - The
wireless device 502 transmits a beacon (or calibration) signal over multiple paths to the wirelesspower transmission system 501. As discussed herein, thewireless device 502 transmits the beacon in the direction of the radiation andreception pattern 510 such that the strength of the received beacon signal by the wireless power transmission system, e.g., RSSI, depends on the radiation andreception pattern 510. For example, beacon signals are not transmitted where there are nulls in the radiation andreception pattern 510 and beacon signals are the strongest at the peaks in the radiation andreception pattern 510, e.g., peak of the primary lobe. As shown in the example ofFIG. 5A , thewireless device 502 transmits beacon signals over five paths P1-P5. Paths P4 and P5 are blocked by reflective and/orabsorptive object 506. The wirelesspower transmission system 501 receives beacon signals of increasing strengths via paths P1-P3. The bolder lines indicate stronger signals. In some embodiments the beacon signals are directionally transmitted in this manner to, for example, avoid unnecessary RF energy exposure to the user. - A fundamental property of antennas is that the receiving pattern (sensitivity as a function of direction) of an antenna when used for receiving is identical to the far-field radiation pattern of the antenna when used for transmitting. This is a consequence of the reciprocity theorem in electromagnetics. As shown in the example of
FIGS. 5A and 5B , the radiation andreception pattern 510 is a three-dimensional lobe shape. However, the radiation andreception pattern 510 can be any number of shapes depending on the type or types, e.g., horn antennas, simple vertical antenna, etc. used in the antenna design. For example, the radiation andreception pattern 510 can comprise various directive patterns. Any number of different antenna radiation and reception patterns are possible for each of multiple client devices in a wireless power delivery environment. - Referring again to
FIG. 5A , the wirelesspower transmission system 501 receives the beacon (or calibration) signal via multiple paths P1-P3 at multiple antennas or transceivers. As shown, paths P2 and P3 are direct line of sight paths while path P1 is a non-line of sight path. Once the beacon (or calibration) signal is received by the wirelesspower transmission system 501, thepower transmission system 501 processes the beacon (or calibration) signal to determine one or more receive characteristics of the beacon signal at each of the multiple antennas. For example, among other operations, the wirelesspower transmission system 501 can measure the phases at which the beacon signal is received at each of the multiple antennas or transceivers. - The wireless
power transmission system 501 processes the one or more receive characteristics of the beacon signal at each of the multiple antennas to determine or measure one or more wireless power transmit characteristics for each of the multiple RF transceivers based on the one or more receive characteristics of the beacon (or calibration) signal as measured at the corresponding antenna or transceiver. By way of example and not limitation, the wireless power transmit characteristics can include phase settings for each antenna or transceiver, transmission power settings, etc. - As discussed herein, the wireless
power transmission system 501 determines the wireless power transmit characteristics such that, once the antennas or transceivers are configured, the multiple antennas or transceivers are operable to transit a wireless power signal that matches the client radiation and reception pattern in the three-dimensional space proximate to the client device.FIG. 5B illustrates the wirelesspower transmission system 501 transmitting wireless power via paths P1-P3 to thewireless device 502. Advantageously, as discussed herein, the wireless power signal matches the client radiation andreception pattern 510 in the three-dimensional space proximate to the client device. Said another way, the wireless power transmission system will transmit the wireless power signals in the direction in which the wireless power receiver has maximum gain, e.g., will receive the most wireless power. As a result, no signals are sent in directions in which the wireless power receiver cannot receiver, e.g., nulls and blockages. In some embodiments, the wirelesspower transmission system 501 measures the RSSI of the received beacon signal and if the beacon is less than a threshold value, the wireless power transmission system will not send wireless power over that path. - The three paths shown in the example of
FIGS. 5A and 5B are illustrated for simplicity, it is appreciated that any number of paths can be utilized for transmitting power to thewireless device 502 depending on, among other factors, reflective and absorptive objects in the wireless power delivery environment. - In retrodirective wireless power delivery environments, wireless power receivers generate and send beacon (or calibration) signals that are received by an array of antennas of a wireless power transmission system. The beacon signals provide the charger with timing information for wireless power transfers, and also indicate directionality of the incoming signal. As discussed herein, this directionality information is employed when transmitting in order to focus energy (e.g., power wave delivery) on individual wireless power receiver clients. Additionally, directionality facilitates other applications such as, for example, tracking device movement.
- In some embodiments, wireless power receiver clients in a wireless power delivery environment are tracked by a wireless power transmission system using a three dimensional angle of incidence of an RF signal (at any polarity) paired with a distance determined by using an RF signal strength or any other method. As discussed herein, an array of antennas capable of measuring phase (e.g., the wireless power transmission system array) can be used to detect a wavefront angle of incidence. A distance to the wireless power receiver client can be determined based on the angle from multiple array segments. Alternatively, or additionally, the distance to the wireless power receiver client can be determined based on power calculations.
- In some embodiments, the degree of accuracy in determining the angle of incidence of an RF signal depends on a size of the array of antennas, a number of antennas, a number of phase steps, method of phase detection, accuracy of distance measurement method, RF noise level in environment, etc. In some embodiments, users may be asked to agree to a privacy policy defined by an administrator for tracking their location and movements within the environment. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the system can use the location information to modify the flow of information between devices and optimize the environment. Additionally, the system can track historical wireless device location information and develop movement pattern information, profile information, and preference information.
-
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example determination of an incident angle of a wavefront, according to some embodiments. By way of example and not limitation, the incident angle of a wavefront can be determined using an array of transducers based on, for example, the received phase measurements of four antennas for omnidirectional detection, or three antennas can be used for detecting the wavefront angle on one hemisphere. In these examples, the transmitting device (i.e., the wireless device) is assumed to be on a line coming from the center of the three or more antennas out to infinity. If the at least three different antennas are located a sufficient known distance away and are also used to determine incident wave angle, then the convergence of the two lines plotted from the phase-detecting antennas is the location of the device. In the example ofFIG. 6 , -
- where λ is the wavelength of the transmitted signal, and Δϕ is the phase offset in radians and s is the inter-element spacing of the receiving antennas.
- If less than one wavelength of antennas spacing is used between two antennas, an unambiguous two-dimensional (2D) wavefront angle can be determined for a hemisphere. If three antennas are used, an unambiguous three-dimensional (3D) angle can be determined for a hemisphere. In some embodiments, if a specified number of antennas, e.g., four antennas are used, an unambiguous 3D angle can be determined for a sphere. For example, in one implementation, 0.25 to 0.75 wavelength spacing between antennas can be used. However, other antenna spacing and parameters may be used. The antennas described above are omnidirectional antennas which each cover all polarities. In some embodiments, in order to provide omnidirectional coverage at every polarity, more antennas may be needed depending on the antenna type/shape/orientation.
-
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example minimum omnidirectional wavefront angle detector, according to some embodiments. As discussed above, the distance to the transmitter can be calculated based on received power compared to a known power (e.g., the power used to transmit), or utilizing other distance determination techniques. The distance to the transmitting device can be combined with an angle determined from the above-described process to determine device location. In addition, or alternatively, the distance to the transmitter can be measured by any other means, including measuring the difference in signal strength between sent and received signals, sonar, timing of signals, etc. - When determining angles of incidence, a number of calculations must be performed in order to determine receiver directionality. The receiver directionality (e.g., the direction from which the beacon signal is received) can comprise a phase of the signal as measured at each of multiple antennas of an array. In an array with multiple hundreds, or even thousands, or antenna elements, these calculations may become burdensome or take longer to compute than desirable. In order to address reduce the burden of sampling a single beacon across multiple antenna elements and determining directionality of the wave, a method is proposed that leverages previously calculated values to simplify some receiver sampling events.
- Additionally, in some cases it is extremely beneficial to determine if a receiver within the charging environment, or some other element of the environment, is moving or otherwise transitory. Thus, rather than the above attempt to determine actual or exact location, the utilization of pre-calculated values may be employed to identify object movement within the environment. Each antenna unit automatically and autonomously calculates the phase of the incoming beacon. The Antennas (or a representative subset of antennas) then report the detected (or measured phases up to the master controller for analysis). To detect movement, the master controller monitors the detected phases over time, looking for a variance to sample for each antenna.
- II. Power Scheduling
- As discussed above, in retrodirective wireless power delivery environments, wireless power receivers generate and send beacon signals that are received by an array of antennas of a wireless power transmission system. The beacon signals provide the charger with timing information for wireless power transfers, and also indicate directionality of the incoming signal. As discussed herein, this directionality information is employed when transmitting in order to focus energy (e.g., power wave delivery) on individual wireless power receiver clients.
- A tone power schedule (TPS) system builds on top of the BBS system, adding another layer of configuration beyond the time settings that determine how long a client will tone and how long it will receive power. The TPS system is both time- and client-aware. Using TPS, a COTA system can time-divide power delivery among several clients during a single Beacon Beat, enabling much more flexibility in the system for clients that may move frequently, have greater-than-average power needs, or have other special considerations. The TPS also creates a common language (i.e., the control register set) used between software, transmitter, and receiver clients, so all these components can correctly anticipate when the transmitter will be listening, when it will be sending power, and which client(s) should be involved with the transmitter's current function.
-
FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram including an example of controller logic of a wireless charger in a TPS system in accordance with some embodiments. In particular, a more detailed block diagram ofcontrol logic 310 andcommunication block 312 ofFIG. 3 is shown for a TPS-enabled system. -
Communication block 312 includes a transceiver IC 802 (“XCVR IC”) configured to send and receive wireless signals for thecontrol logic 310.Transceiver IC 802 is coupled to a transceiver input/output (“I/O”)controller 804 via communication andcontrol lines 806. - As shown in
FIG. 8 ,control logic 310 includes asoftware controller 808 that has program instructions programmed thereinto or that has access to a computer readable storage medium containing the program instructions that supply control information for the TPS system. Thesoftware controller 808 will make a burst of traffic to “set up” the TPS cycle, and will then initiate the TPS system with a “go” command A controllerconfiguration register block 810 has a block of registers that controls all digital logic in the system. The registers in controllerconfiguration register block 810 can be read/write, read-only, or write-only. Once thesoftware controller 808 has initiated the system, the TPS system communicates with the configuration registers in order to make the external devices perform their required function at the required time. - A
microsecond counter 812 is a timing block with sufficient configuration to count microseconds out of input system clock cycles. This block incorporates “skip count” smoothing logic to enable fine control of the base oscillator signal and adjust the counting by adding or deleting counts over X microseconds. This way, even an imperfect base oscillator can be configured to accurately count microsecond intervals over periods of several seconds. - A TPS
control register block 814 is a local register block to hold all TPS configuration for the power cycle in progress. Since these power cycles may take several seconds, all configuration is registered in the TPScontrol register block 814 in case the next power cycle is set up during the current cycle. While a TPS cycle is in progress, thisregister block 814 will hold the configuration as it was when the power cycle was initiated. Once the power cycle is complete, these registers freely latch the configuration input from theconfiguration block 810 for the next cycle. - A
TPS client tracker 816 is a block of logic that emulates the tone and power delivery slot enumeration for eachclient 400. At all times, the transmitter must be cognizant of whichclient 400 is set to tone and whichclient 400 is set to receive power. Therefore, thetransmitter 300 includes one “tracker” block 816 per supportedclient 400. In one embodiment,TPS client tracker 816 includes computer readable memory in a computer readable storage medium into which the power transmission configuration for arespective client 400 is stored.TPS client tracker 816 may also be a plurality of registers configured to store the power transmission configuration. - A TPS finite state machine 818 (“FSM”) is the controlling state machine that marches through the required states to correctly call out receive times, power slots, and perform any time-sensitive communication with the transceiver 312 (such as measure RSSI or calculate phase from measured I and Q values). The configuration of states in this machine is highly dependent upon the type of
transceiver 312 used in the system, as each type will have different communication and controls to perform the required tasks during the power delivery cycle. - A TPS
external IC controller 820 represents logic initiated at the correct time by theFSM 818. This logic will momentarily take over the configuration interface and inject new configuration to make the XCVR I/O controller 804 do things, such as go to transmit mode, or measure received signal phase. The TPSexternal IC controller 820 only communicates with the configuration registers of the controllerconfiguration register block 810, not the transceiver I/O controller 804 directly. -
FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram for a Tone Power Schedule 900 (“TPS”) in accordance with some embodiments.TPS 900 includes a plurality ofTPS cycles power receiver clients 103. Eachcycle power receiver clients 103.TPS 900 may include any number ofTPS cycles client 103. -
FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram forBeacon Beat 906 ofTPS 900. It is to be understood thatBeacon Beat 906 illustrated inFIG. 10 is representative of each Beacon Beat 906-914 ofTPS 900.Beacon Beat 906 includes atone time block 1000 in which a wirelesspower receiver clients 103 is allowed the opportunity to generate and transmit its beacon signal as described above with respect toFIG. 2 . The beacon signal received duringtone time block 1000 at the wirelesspower transmission system power receiver client 103 via the same path over which the beacon signal was received from thepower receiver client 103. - However, unlike the system described above with respect to the BBS cycle,
Beacon Beat 906 in theTPS cycle power receiver client 103 during theBeacon Beat 906. That is, once eachpower receiver client 103 has been given the opportunity to deliver its beacon signal to the wirelesspower transmission system TPS client trackers 816 set up for each of the fivepower receiver clients 103 are used to transmit wireless power to eachclient 103 subsequent to thetone time block 1000 in a respective one of the plurality of power ticks 1002-1010. In subsequent Beacon Beats (such as Beacon Beats 908-914), a differentpower receiver client 103 is given the opportunity to transmit its beacon signal during the respectivetone time block 1000, followed by each of the fiveclients 103 receiving some power during their respective time slots within the plurality of power ticks 1002-1010. -
FIG. 11 depicts a timing diagram 1100 for aTPS 1102 in accordance with some embodiments. A timing diagram 1104 for a wireless power transmission system is shown withinTPS 1102 as well as timing diagrams 1106, 1108, 1110 for three respective power receiver clients in an illustrative example. -
TPS 1102 includes three Beacon Beats (BB1 1112,BB2 1114, BB3 1116) in eachTPS cycle 1118 to allow for communications and power transmittal to the three power receiver clients. Prior to starting the first cycle,TPS 1102 begins the process by sending a TPS “go” signal orcommand 1120 to all devices to begin the cycle. The TPS “go”signal 1120 may be an external signal sent to all electronics in the system or may be a software write to a special address. Following the TPS “go”signal 1120, there is aconfigurable start delay 1122 before the system starts its work. This is to allow all parts of the system adequate time to receive and react to the “GO”command 1120. - Once the
initial start delay 1122 is satisfied, the repeatingpower cycle 1118 begins. In each Beacon Beat 1112-1116, atone time block 1124 allows one of the power receiver clients to send its beacon signal as described above.Tone time block 1124 includes a receive (“RX”)delay 1126 that causes the wireless power transmission system to wait a short time for the beacon signal from the power receiver client to stabilize. Then, aphase detection routine 1128 such as that described herein is carried out to determine the complex conjugate of the detected phase plus some calibration offset value. This computed result is then stored in the “calculated phase” register such as aTPS client tracker 816 discussed above with respect toFIG. 8 for the client that is beaconing. Thus,TPS client tracker 816 contains a power transmission configuration for therespective client 103 to be used during power transmission. - A power up
delay 1130 follows thetone time block 1124 to allow the wireless power transmission system to begin the transmission process and to allow its electronics to stabilize. Transceiver devices in the system that use power amplifiers to amplify their transmission signal are given time to allow these amplifiers to power up. Power updelay 1130 allows the wireless power transmission system to switch into the transmit mode early to allow for this power-up time. - Three power tick time blocks 1132, 1134, 1136 follow the power up
delay 1130 for supplying wireless power signals to the three power receiver clients in this example. The number of power tick time blocks is configurable to the number of power receiver clients in the system. During each respective power tick time block 1132-1136, the wireless power transmission system configures the power transmission for the respective power receiver client according to the respectiveTPS client tracker 816 for that client. - During its assigned power tick time block 1132-1136, the respective power receiver client receives the wireless signals transmitted by the wireless power transmission system as shown in timing diagrams 1106-1110. As depicted, timing diagram 1106 includes a receive
window 1138 in each Beacon Beat 1112-1116, while timing diagram 1108 includes a receivewindow 1140 starting withBeacon Beat 1114 and timing diagram 1110 includes a receivewindow 1142 starting withBeacon Beat 1116. Receivewindows windows Beacon Beat 1114 andBeacon Beat 1116. Prior to the initial transmission of a beacon signal from a power receiver client, the respectiveTPS client tracker 816 is not yet configured to allow the wireless power transmission system to know how to configure the antennas to deliver power to the client. However, once theTPS client tracker 816 is configured, power delivery to the respective client is possible. - Each timing diagram 1106-1110 includes three states for the respective power receiver clients: power usage occurring during its
respective tone time 1124, power reception occurring during its respective power tick time block 1132-1136, and the rest of the cycle the client is sleeping to save power. -
FIG. 12 depicts a timing diagram 1200 for aTPS 1202 in accordance with another embodiment. Similar to timing diagram 1100, timing diagram 1200 includes a timing diagram 1204 for a wireless power transmission system as well as timing diagrams 1206, 1208, 1210 for three respective power receiver clients in an illustrative example. The initialization of the TPS cycle (e.g., transmission of a “go” command) is not shown. - In this example, the third client (corresponding to the timing diagram 1210) is fully charged and does not require further charging at the moment. Accordingly, timing diagram 1210 shows no activity for the third client during any of the power tick time blocks. Instead, the power tick time block normally reserved for the third client may be given to one of the other clients such as the client corresponding to the timing diagram 1206. As shown, this allows the first client to receive power during two of the power tick time blocks instead of during only one power tick time block as discussed above with respect to timing diagram 1100. While not shown, it is to be understood that should the second client corresponding with timing diagram 1208 also find itself fully charged and no longer in need of receiving wireless power signals, it, too, could give up its power tick time block such that the first client could receive power during all three power tick time blocks. Other like configurations are also possible and considered to be within the scope of that disclosed herein.
-
FIG. 13 depicts a timing diagram 1300 for aTPS 1302 in accordance with another embodiment. Similar to timing diagram 1100, timing diagram 1300 includes a timing diagram 1304 for a wireless power transmission system as well as timing diagrams 1306, 1308, 1310 for three respective power receiver clients in an illustrative example. The initialization of the TPS cycle (e.g., transmission of a “go” command) is not shown. - While the timing diagrams 1306-1310 for three power receiver clients are shown, each
Beacon Beat 1312 nevertheless includes more power tick time block than the number of power receiver clients. In this manner, a particular client, such as the client corresponding with timing diagram 1306, may be deemed to be at a higher level of importance than the other clients. The wirelesspower transmission system 101 may assign the particular client to be at a higher priority than one or more of the other clients. Accordingly, one or more additional power tick time blocks inBeacon Beat 1312 may be dedicated to provide additional power to the more important client in each Beacon Beat to increase its power level at a faster rate than the other clients in the system. -
FIG. 14 depicts a timing diagram 1400 for aTPS 1402 in accordance with another embodiment. Similar to timing diagram 1100, timing diagram 1400 includes a timing diagram 1404 for a wireless power transmission system as well as timing diagrams 1406, 1408, 1410 for three respective power receiver clients in an illustrative example. The initialization of the TPS cycle (e.g., transmission of a “go” command) is not shown. - To further save power and to reduce the time it takes to charge a client's power source, stationary power sources do not need to transmit beacon signals to the wireless power transmission system once the wireless power transmission system knows the configuration set up in the respective
TPS client tracker 816. If the client is not moving and is stationary, then receipt of the beacon signal at the wireless power transmission system should result in the same calculations being made. Accordingly, re-detecting the phase plus calibration offset value may be eliminated to save power at the client by not requiring the client to transmit its beacon signal. As shown inFIG. 14 , the second and third clients corresponding to respective timing diagram 1408, 1410 are shown to not transmit their beacon signals during their assigned power tick time blocks. Yet, these clients are still configured to acquire wireless power signals from the wireless power transmission system in order to charge their power sources. -
FIG. 15 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of a representative mobile device ortablet computer 1500 with a wireless power receiver or client in the form of a mobile (or smart) phone or tablet computer device, according to an embodiment. Various interfaces and modules are shown with reference toFIG. 15 , however, the mobile device or tablet computer does not require all of modules or functions for performing the functionality described herein. It is appreciated that, in many embodiments, various components are not included and/or necessary for operation of the category controller. For example, components such as GPS radios, cellular radios, and accelerometers may not be included in the controllers to reduce costs and/or complexity. Additionally, components such as ZigBee radios and RFID transceivers, along with antennas, can populate the Printed Circuit Board. - The wireless power receiver client can be a
power receiver client 103 ofFIG. 1 , although alternative configurations are possible. Additionally, the wireless power receiver client can include one or more RF antennas for reception of power and/or data signals from a power transmission system, e.g., wirelesspower transmission system 101 ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 16 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in the example form, of a computer system within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed. - In the example of
FIG. 16 , the computer system includes a processor, memory, non-volatile memory, and an interface device. Various common components (e.g., cache memory) are omitted for illustrative simplicity. Thecomputer system 1600 is intended to illustrate a hardware device on which any of the components depicted in the example ofFIG. 1 (and any other components described in this specification) can be implemented. For example, the computer system can be any radiating object or antenna array system. The computer system can be of any applicable known or convenient type. The components of the computer system can be coupled together via a bus or through some other known or convenient device. - The processor may be, for example, a conventional microprocessor such as an Intel Pentium microprocessor or Motorola power PC microprocessor. One of skill in the relevant art will recognize that the terms “machine-readable (storage) medium” or “computer-readable (storage) medium” include any type of device that is accessible by the processor.
- The memory is coupled to the processor by, for example, a bus. The memory can include, by way of example but not limitation, random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM). The memory can be local, remote, or distributed.
- The bus also couples the processor to the non-volatile memory and drive unit. The non-volatile memory is often a magnetic floppy or hard disk, a magnetic-optical disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), such as a CD-ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM, a magnetic or optical card, or another form of storage for large amounts of data. Some of this data is often written, by a direct memory access process, into memory during execution of software in the
computer 1600. The non-volatile storage can be local, remote, or distributed. The non-volatile memory is optional because systems can be created with all applicable data available in memory. A typical computer system will usually include at least a processor, memory, and a device (e.g., a bus) coupling the memory to the processor. - Software is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or the drive unit. Indeed, for large programs, it may not even be possible to store the entire program in the memory. Nevertheless, it should be understood that for software to run, if necessary, it is moved to a computer readable location appropriate for processing, and for illustrative purposes, that location is referred to as the memory in this paper. Even when software is moved to the memory for execution, the processor will typically make use of hardware registers to store values associated with the software, and local cache that, ideally, serves to speed up execution. As used herein, a software program is assumed to be stored at any known or convenient location (from non-volatile storage to hardware registers) when the software program is referred to as “implemented in a computer-readable medium”. A processor is considered to be “configured to execute a program” when at least one value associated with the program is stored in a register readable by the processor.
- The bus also couples the processor to the network interface device. The interface can include one or more of a modem or network interface. It will be appreciated that a modem or network interface can be considered to be part of the computer system. The interface can include an analog modem, isdn modem, cable modem, token ring interface, satellite transmission interface (e.g. “direct PC”), or other interfaces for coupling a computer system to other computer systems. The interface can include one or more input and/or output devices. The I/O devices can include, by way of example but not limitation, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, disk drives, printers, a scanner, and other input and/or output devices, including a display device. The display device can include, by way of example but not limitation, a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), or some other applicable known or convenient display device. For simplicity, it is assumed that controllers of any devices not depicted in the example of
FIG. 16 reside in the interface. - In operation, the
computer system 1600 can be controlled by operating system software that includes a file management system, such as a disk operating system. One example of operating system software with associated file management system software is the family of operating systems known as Windows® from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and their associated file management systems. Another example of operating system software with its associated file management system software is the Linux operating system and its associated file management system. The file management system is typically stored in the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit and causes the processor to execute the various acts required by the operating system to input and output data and to store data in the memory, including storing files on the non-volatile memory and/or drive unit. - Some portions of the detailed description may be presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to a desired result. The operations are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
- It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
- The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the methods of some embodiments. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, the techniques are not described with reference to any particular programming language, and various embodiments may thus be implemented using a variety of programming languages.
- In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in a client-server network environment or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.
- The machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, an iPhone, a Blackberry, a processor, a telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.
- While the machine-readable medium or machine-readable storage medium is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the presently disclosed technique and innovation.
- In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of the disclosure, may be implemented as part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, object, module or sequence of instructions referred to as “computer programs.” The computer programs typically comprise one or more instructions set at various times in various memory and storage devices in a computer, and that, when read and executed by one or more processing units or processors in a computer, cause the computer to perform operations to execute elements involving the various aspects of the disclosure.
- Moreover, while embodiments have been described in the context of fully functioning computers and computer systems, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the disclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of machine or computer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution.
- Further examples of machine-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or computer-readable (storage) media include but are not limited to recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices, floppy and other removable disks, hard disk drives, optical disks (e.g., Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD ROMS), Digital Versatile Disks, (DVDs), etc.), among others, and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links.
- Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.
- The above detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are, at times, shown as being performed in a series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be performed at different times. Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.
- The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.
- Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.
- These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above Detailed Description. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.
- While certain aspects of the disclosure are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the disclosure in any number of claim forms. For example, while only one aspect of the disclosure is recited as a means-plus-function claim under 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6, other aspects may likewise be embodied as a means-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied in a computer-readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶6 will begin with the words “means for”.) Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the disclosure.
- The detailed description provided herein may be applied to other systems, not necessarily only the system described above. The elements and acts of the various examples described above can be combined to provide further implementations of the invention. Some alternative implementations of the invention may include not only additional elements to those implementations noted above, but also may include fewer elements. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above Detailed Description. While the above description defines certain examples of the invention, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/367,403 US10199854B2 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2016-12-02 | Tone power scheduler for wireless environmental applications |
US16/264,894 US20190165599A1 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2019-02-01 | Tone Power Scheduler For Wireless Environmental Applications |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/367,403 US10199854B2 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2016-12-02 | Tone power scheduler for wireless environmental applications |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/264,894 Continuation US20190165599A1 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2019-02-01 | Tone Power Scheduler For Wireless Environmental Applications |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20180159370A1 true US20180159370A1 (en) | 2018-06-07 |
US10199854B2 US10199854B2 (en) | 2019-02-05 |
Family
ID=62244140
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/367,403 Active 2037-07-25 US10199854B2 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2016-12-02 | Tone power scheduler for wireless environmental applications |
US16/264,894 Abandoned US20190165599A1 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2019-02-01 | Tone Power Scheduler For Wireless Environmental Applications |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/264,894 Abandoned US20190165599A1 (en) | 2016-12-02 | 2019-02-01 | Tone Power Scheduler For Wireless Environmental Applications |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US10199854B2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10447372B2 (en) * | 2017-05-04 | 2019-10-15 | Movandi Corporation | Amplitude and phase calibration at a transmitter chip in an antenna array |
US20200161889A1 (en) * | 2018-11-16 | 2020-05-21 | T-Mobile Usa, Inc. | Over-the-air wireless charging |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10903677B2 (en) * | 2018-07-31 | 2021-01-26 | International Business Machines Corporation | Prioritizing an inductive charging of each device of multiple devices based on power preferences |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10211685B2 (en) * | 2015-09-16 | 2019-02-19 | Energous Corporation | Systems and methods for real or near real time wireless communications between a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver |
US9949219B2 (en) * | 2015-12-16 | 2018-04-17 | Intel Corporation | Power harvesting |
-
2016
- 2016-12-02 US US15/367,403 patent/US10199854B2/en active Active
-
2019
- 2019-02-01 US US16/264,894 patent/US20190165599A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10447372B2 (en) * | 2017-05-04 | 2019-10-15 | Movandi Corporation | Amplitude and phase calibration at a transmitter chip in an antenna array |
US20200161889A1 (en) * | 2018-11-16 | 2020-05-21 | T-Mobile Usa, Inc. | Over-the-air wireless charging |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20190165599A1 (en) | 2019-05-30 |
US10199854B2 (en) | 2019-02-05 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US11831172B2 (en) | Techniques for facilitating beacon sampling efficiencies in wireless power delivery environments | |
US10211686B2 (en) | Techniques for reducing messaging requirements in wireless power delivery environments | |
US10637289B2 (en) | Systems and methods for improved phase determinations in wireless power delivery environments | |
US11742705B2 (en) | Predictive phase tracking in wireless power delivery environments | |
US11817718B2 (en) | Polarization adaptive wireless power transmission system | |
US11316377B2 (en) | Wireless power transceivers for supplementing wireless power delivery and extending range | |
US10587155B2 (en) | Techniques for delivering retrodirective wireless power | |
US20230198311A1 (en) | Wireless Power Receiver Clients With Dynamically Reconfigurable Antenna Configurations | |
US20230238834A1 (en) | Circuits And Systems For Wireless Signaling | |
US20190165599A1 (en) | Tone Power Scheduler For Wireless Environmental Applications | |
US20200091773A1 (en) | Energy Storage Device For Wireless Environmental Applications |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OSSIA INC., WASHINGTON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ZEINE, HATEM;HOANG, ANH-TUAN;MAYES, DALE;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20161129 TO 20171120;REEL/FRAME:044198/0849 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PETITION RELATED TO MAINTENANCE FEES GRANTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: PTGR); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Free format text: ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: BIG.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OSSIA INC., WASHINGTON Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE TEXT IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF ASSIGNMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 044198 FRAME 0850. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNORS:ZEINE, HATEM;HOANG, ANH-TUAN;MAYES, DALE;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20180511 TO 20180604;REEL/FRAME:046552/0185 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NERVE INVESTMENT SPV LTD, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Free format text: NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS;ASSIGNOR:OSSIA INC.;REEL/FRAME:062336/0628 Effective date: 20230106 Owner name: FARAH CAPITAL LMITED, BAHAMAS Free format text: NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS;ASSIGNOR:OSSIA INC.;REEL/FRAME:062336/0628 Effective date: 20230106 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NERVE INVESTMENT SPV LTD, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME AND ZIP CODE OF CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 062336 FRAME: 0628. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:OSSIA INC.;REEL/FRAME:062926/0332 Effective date: 20230106 Owner name: FARAH CAPITAL LIMITED, BAHAMAS Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME AND ZIP CODE OF CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 062336 FRAME: 0628. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:OSSIA INC.;REEL/FRAME:062926/0332 Effective date: 20230106 |